The Shelby County Board of Commissioners deferred voting on two data center-related ordinances during its meeting on Monday, October 26th. The move comes less than a week after the Memphis City Council passed an ordinance enacting a 135-day pause on new data center approvals.
Commissioners chose to defer voting in the aftermath of committee meetings on October 21st. During that meeting, Commissioner Amber Huett-Garcia introduced an ordinance that would establish regulations on new and existing data centers. The proposed ordinance emphasized the need to report the costs of using valuable resources such as water and power, as well as infrastructure costs.
The Commission also delayed a vote on a 12-month moratorium on data centers, which was sponsored by Commissioner Henri E. Brooks, and could be replaced by Huett-Garcia’s ordinance. Commissioners said they needed more time to work on the ordinances and receive community and expert feedback before having a final vote.
The body grappled with how data centers can exist without jeopardizing the health and wellness of citizens.
During the October 21st meeting, Sugarmon inquired how residents near data centers would be protected from noise pollution, especially in areas like Whitehaven. The commissioner also wanted to hear from other governing bodies.
“I would like to hear from [the] Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW), Sugarmon said. “I am just curious about the impact on our infrastructure: can it actually hold additional data centers, and what does it look like? Who is going to carry that cost if expansion is needed?”
