Memphis Council Delays 12-Month Data Center Moratorium 7-5 as Protesters Disrupt Meeting
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
Memphis Council Delays 12-Month Data Center Moratorium 7-5 as Protesters Disrupt Meeting
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
Summary
A 7-5 council vote pushed a decision on Memphis' proposed 12-month moratorium on new data centers to Oct. 20, triggering chants inside City Hall and police clearing the chamber.
The ordinance would halt new projects for a year while the city studies health, power, water and other infrastructure impacts tied to large data centers.
A fight between two women broke out in the lobby after the postponement; police said no one was detained or injured, and it was unclear whether the altercation was tied to the meeting.
J.B. Smiley Jr., the measure's lead sponsor, argued residents came expecting a final vote, while opponent Jeff Warren warned a yearlong pause could drive projects to nearby counties.
The dispute comes as Elon Musk's SpaceXAI runs its Colossus facilities near Memphis, sharpening debate over tax revenue versus concerns about air quality, noise, electricity and water use.