Lawrence County Commission to Consider 12-Month Moratorium on Data Centers

The Lawrence County Commission will consider a resolution on Tuesday, July 28, at 5:00 p.m. that would establish a 12-month moratorium on the establishment, construction, development, expansion, or operation of data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, artificial intelligence computing facilities, cloud computing facilities, and other high-density computing operations in Lawrence County.

The resolution, sponsored by Commission Chairman Shane Eaton and Commissioner Wayne Yocom, states that the temporary moratorium would allow the county time to study the potential impacts of these types of facilities before any are established in the county. Among the concerns cited are demands on electrical service, water resources, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation, emergency services, noise, heat, vibration, and other environmental and quality-of-life impacts.

The proposal also notes that Lawrence County currently does not have countywide zoning regulations, building codes, or comprehensive land use regulations specifically addressing these types of developments. The resolution states the county should evaluate whether its long-standing lack of zoning and development regulations remains appropriate, particularly regarding large-scale industrial development.

If approved, the resolution would establish a Data Center and Land Use Study Committee appointed by the chairman of the commission. The committee would study issues including infrastructure demands, environmental impacts, emergency response, economic development, building codes, zoning options, industrial site selection, and regulatory authority available under Tennessee law. The committee would report its findings and recommendations to the County Commission before the moratorium expires.

The Lawrence County Commission is scheduled to consider the resolution during its regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at the Lawrence County Courthouse.