Time for a Data Center Moratorium in Memphis

email advocacy
Goal: 2500

Goal: 2,500

Dear [Your Elected Official],

I respectfully ask the Council to adopt a moratorium of not less than twelve months on new data center construction, expansion, and associated on-site generation while Memphis develops a comprehensive framework for this rapidly growing industry.
The question is not whether data centers belong in Memphis. It is whether Memphis has any rules governing them.
The city has taken on more than a gigawatt of data center load with no zoning definition for the use, no use-specific siting standards, no water conditions, no protections for frontline communities, and no noise limits calibrated to the technology.
A pause is not a verdict on this industry. It is twelve months to write the rules that should have existed for over two years.
I am asking the Council to:
<ol>
<li>Adopt a moratorium of not less than twelve months on new data center construction, expansion, and associated on-site generation.</li>
<li>Direct the Office of Planning and Development to bring forward a data center use definition and use-specific development standards before the pause expires, and tie the expiration to adoption of that ordinance rather than to the calendar alone.</li>
<li>Develop and convene a diverse stakeholder body during the pause, with voting seats reserved for residents of directly affected ZIP codes alongside environmental and public health experts, industry, labor, utility, and agency representatives.</li>
<li>Adopt minimum standards in the framework for water source and use, setbacks, density, noise, air pollution, public notice, and community benefits.</li>
</ol>
In the moratorium ordinance, I also request that SpaceXAI is required to provide a certified construction schedule and completion date for the Colossus Water Recycling Facility.
This request does not ask the Council to close or reverse data center facilities already operating. Nothing in this request asks the Council to undo what has already happened.
It asks the Council to stop approving what Memphis has not yet defined.
Neighboring cities have adopted commonsense local ordinances that protect residents while allowing the industry to operate within clear guardrails. Memphis should do the same.
We urge the Council to use this twelve-month pause to establish clear, enforceable rules that protect Memphis residents, our air and water, and the long-term interests of our city—while providing the certainty that responsible data center development requires.
Pause now. Write the rules. Then move forward with a framework Memphis can stand behind.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

Memphis is moving fast on data centers—but our rules haven’t caught up. The city has taken on more than a gigawatt of data center electricity load without a zoning definition, siting standards, water protections, noise limits, or meaningful safeguards for communities living near these facilities. We’re asking Memphis City Council to pause new data center construction, expansions, and associated on-site generation for at least 12 months while the city develops a comprehensive ordinance. This will not close or reverse the facilities already operating, and nothing in this request asks the Council to undo anything. It’s about pressing pause on new approvals until Memphis has rules in place to protect residents and manage this industry responsibly. Ask the Memphis City Council to support a 12-month data center moratorium while Memphis builds the guardrails our city needs.

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Jana Swearengen-Washington Chairwoman

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