Image Credit: visitjohnsoncity.com & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
With the potential influx of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers in the Volunteer State, both the state government and local entities have tried to be ahead of the game by ensuring that policies are in place to regulate these centers before their arrival. One local city is taking steps to allow residents to provide their input into what they feel needs to be considered.
Last week, the City of Johnson City posted a survey on social media, asking people to give their thoughts on data centers in the city.
The post noted that the city is currently evaluating data center operations & potential impacts such as “noise, location, & compatibility with surrounding uses.”
The survey asked people what concerns they had regarding data centers and how they felt about their development in Johnson City.
Those who respond to the survey could choose up to three major areas of concern from a list that included environmental impacts, noise, and traffic among other things.
Survey respondents were also asked to tell what type of approach they would like the city to have with data centers, such as location restrictions, increased noise regulations, or generator testing hour limitations.
They could also select a method for receiving updates regarding the city’s decisions on data centers.
Earlier this month, Governor Bill Lee signed a new law that requires data centers to be self-funding. The law was designed to prevent consumers from being charged more by power companies who are subsidizing the repair costs, etc. of the data centers.
The legislation prohibits the costs associated with building a new data center or upgrading electrical infrastructure of a center from being absorbed or subsidized by a municipal or electric utility except in limited circumstances. Should upgrades also benefit ratepayers, utilities may then share the cost with a data center.
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