Image Credit: Nashville Zoo
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
A petition launched by the Nashville Zoo around three weeks ago against a proposed data center abutting its property reached over 500,000 signatures on Monday, reflecting the ever-increasing opposition not just to this specific proposal, but the general influx of data centers around the state.
The petition expresses concern about the lack of studies or environmental impact assessments, particularly in how the massive facility could affect some of their more sensitive animals and humans in the proximity.
“At Nashville Zoo, our top priority is to protect our precious animals and their environment. We are equally committed to the health and safety of our visitors, staff, and neighbors living nearby. Yet, with no regulations or safeguards for use in place, developers intend to build a 69,000 square feet data center on land abutting the Zoo. They assert the community need not worry, that building a data center next door to one of the region’s most delicate environments will cause no harm…Just their word,” the petition reads.
“We cannot afford to find out years from now how this facility has negatively impacted our 1.4 million visitors, our local community, or the 3,000 animals entrusting us with their care. We are calling on the Nashville community to join us in our fight to stop this data center from being built, now.”
DC Blox, the tech company planning to construct the two buildings totaling more than 330,000 square feet, has released another statement in response to the growing number of petition signatures and significant community pushback.
“DC BLOX has heard and appreciates the concerns that have been raised about our newly proposed data center in Nashville near the zoo. Over the past decade, DC BLOX has operated data centers near neighborhoods, schools, daycare centers, and businesses throughout the Southeast, and we look forward to discussing with community leaders how our project can responsibly address the concerns expressed about the Nashville project, including:
DC BLOX will use closed-loop or waterless cooling designs to conserve water. We will work with the local utility to ensure that we pay for all power used as well as any new energy infrastructure required to support our project. We will test and manage noise to locally required levels and will shield light fixtures. We will adhere to all federal and local environmental regulations. And we stand ready to discuss and address other local concerns.”
Nashville leaders are working to create and increase regulations on existing data centers and new construction by developers. On June 9, the Metro Council approved an ordinance declaring a “temporary moratorium” on the “acceptance, processing, approval, and issuance of zoning, building or grading of data centers” across Davidson County.
The ordinance must still pass the Metro Planning Commission, though the odds of approval may be significantly increased after a recent meeting with an unprecedented crowd which lasted over six hours as every speaker save one voiced objection to not just the proposed center by the zoo, but another planned facility at Fisk University.
And last week Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell signed an executive order voicing his support for the temporary moratorium as the city continues to weigh multiple pieces of legislation to address the growing, and controversial, industry in Tennessee.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
What we NEED statewide.