Memphis Mayor Paul Young called for a 90-day study for data center regulations as the city continues to develop policy on tech expansions.
On Friday, Young issued an executive order declaring a 90-day policy review to help the city formulate data center protocols. He said experts will be involved in the process to develop protections for air quality, neighborhoods, water resources, and more.
The study will address land use and neighborhood protections, infrastructure, air quality, water and aquifer protections, energy and utility costs, and noise.
Young plans to appoint experts — demonstrating pertinent knowledge — to the study group. Appointees will develop a written report of the findings, which will incorporate recommendations and potential guardrails. This report will be submitted to Young within 90 days of the order being signed, and the group will be required to present its findings to the public.
The mayor affirmed a commitment to community engagement, with the order requiring a minimum of three community education sessions. The public will also have a chance to take part in a public comment period.
Young said he was responsible for protecting residents and making sure Memphis thrives as a result of these investments.
“From day one, we’ve worked to address the impact of data centers on our energy, water, and infrastructure,” Young said. “Our residents deserve answers and strong protections. This executive order brings the right experts and agencies together to establish clear guardrails and make sure growth works for Memphis.”
The order outlines the formation of this group of subject-matter experts who will make recommendations to governmental bodies such as the Memphis City Council, Shelby County Health Department, and Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW).
“The study will proceed concurrently with the Memphis City Council’s ongoing consideration of data center legislation,” Young said. “The executive order does not suspend, delay, restrict, or interfere with council action.”
Both Young and other governing bodies have emphasized that data center regulation encompasses multiple agencies — not just those the city operates. He called on everyone to exercise their power to protect the city.
“This work is about taking deliberate action,” Young added. “We are listening to our residents, bringing the right people to the table, and moving with urgency to put strong, enforceable guardrails in place.”
Young said the order is not meant to “delay governmental decision-making.”
This announcement comes as several data center-related ordinances are being considered by the Memphis City Council. A data center moratorium is included among those.
During the regular meeting of the council on Tuesday, council member and Vice Chairman Chase Carlisle moved to delay voting on several of the ordinances until the October 20th meeting. Carlisle said more time was needed for the council to work through the ordinances.
The council voted 7-5 in favor of holding off on voting, while agreeing to meet on Thursday to work through remaining issues. During the Thursday work session, councilors discussed proposals which came from members JB Smiley, Rhonda Logan, Philip Spinosa, and Jeff Warren.
Spinosa said the meeting was also for the council to review “existing zoning framework.”
Council attorney Allan Wade spoke about potential legal troubles associated with a moratorium, as well as what the body has the authority to regulate. Wade said some of the proposals detailed things that were outside the council’s control.
“If we’re going to be talking about what to do, we need to stay in our lane, in my opinion,” Wade said.
