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Article by Paula Gomes, Tennessee Conservative News –
After delaying a vote on data center regulations earlier this month, the Memphis City Council ended up deadlocked on Tuesday 6 to 6 on a proposal that would have established a moratorium on new data center development for a period of 18 months.
The failed proposal would have required a study committee to work on regulations while halting the building of any new facilities or expansions of existing centers.
Hundreds were in attendance at the meeting that debated the proposal for five and a half hours before the vote.
Residents affected by environmental and other concerns that the centers bring with them have been demanding that the council act for over a year to cool the rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry of which Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI operation is one.
In 2024, Musk’s company began the conversion of an industrial facility in southwest Memphis into the Colossus supercomputer facility, described by Musk as the “most powerful AI training system in the world.”
Nearby residents have not been enthusiastic citing issues with noise, water and energy usage, and air quality.
Instead of the moratorium, the council instead voted for a pause on new data center applications for 135 days.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young has concurrently ordered a 90-day review to come up with recommendations for the regulation of large and hyperscale centers within city limits.
Previously, the council’s October 6th meeting became so disorderly that council members ended the meeting early.
Adding to the chaos, radical Democrat state representative and congressional candidate Justin J. Pearson led the crowd in a protest, leading to him being temporarily banned from attending two other meetings.
Pearson has since been handed a legal victory, with a federal judge granting him a restraining order that allowed him to attend.
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About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
