Tennessee Data Center Moratorium Tracker
Tennessee has 1 state-level data-center restriction in force. 1 more bill is pending. 38 city and county measures are tracked here, 33 of them in force. Every entry below links to its primary source: a legislature page, a governor's office, a local government, or the reporting of record.
Tennessee
TN
In force
4
State-level measures on record, 1 in force
38
City and county measures, 33 in force
40
Primary sources cited on this page
#15
of 50 states with anything on record, by measure count
State-level measures in Tennessee
Every statewide moratorium, pause, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback in Tennessee we can verify against a primary source. Strongest status first.
| Measure | Status | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 1847 / SB 2128Data Center Cost Responsibility Act | In force 2026-05 | Signed by Gov. Lee on May 7, 2026 and effective on signing. Requires owners and operators of proposed and existing data centers to pay the full cost of the utility infrastructure needed to serve them and bars electric utilities from raising other customers' rates to support data centers. The Senate passed it unanimously; the House passed it 76-14. | |
| SB 2584Taxes, Sales - As introduced, authorizes a qualified data center that applies for job tax credits to certify electronically that it has | Proposed 2026-04 | Tennessee SB 2584 (114): Taxes, Sales - As introduced, authorizes a qualified data center that applies for job tax credits to certify electronically that it has not, within the previous 12 months. Last action 2026-04-20: Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026. | |
| SB 2266Taxes, Sales - As enacted, specifies that any entity that qualifies for exemption as a spallation neutron source facility will not be eligible for a sales | Failed / vetoed 2018-05 | Tennessee SB 2266 (110): Taxes, Sales - As enacted, specifies that any entity that qualifies for exemption as a spallation neutron source facility will not be eligible for a sales and use tax exemption with regard to any. Last action 2018-05-18: Effective date(s) 05/15/2018. | |
| SB 2653Tennessee: SB2653 creates the Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act, establishing a formal review process for data center impacts on communities | Failed / vetoed 2026-02 | SB2653 creates the Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act, establishing a formal review process for data center impacts on communities, environment, and infrastructure. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections across eight titles and was introduced February 2, 2026 with companion bill HB2392. It was deferred in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to March 17, 2026, while HB2392 was placed on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee calendar for March 18. SB 2653 (Impact Review Act) stalled in Senate Commerce & Labor; TN adjourned Apr 23, 2026 with only the industry-friendly self-generation bill passing. |
City and county moratoria in Tennessee
Most of the movement is local, where a building pause or permit halt does not need a legislative session. 38 tracked measures in Tennessee, each with its source.
Anderson County
2026-06
Two-year data center moratorium
The Anderson County Commission unanimously approved a two-year moratorium on new data centers in mid-June 2026 to research impacts and craft safeguards.
Anderson County (2-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mining, battery storage), TN
2026-06
Anderson County (2-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mining, battery storage), TN data center moratorium
On June 15, 2026 the Anderson County (TN) Commission approved a two-year moratorium on new cryptocurrency mining, data processing, and battery storage development (facilities ≥20,000 sq ft or 5+ MW) after residents packed the meeting, to study regulations the county currently lacks.
Bristol
2025-01
Local moratorium on data centers through October 24, 2027
Two-year moratorium on data processing centers, approved unanimously; effective Oct 24, 2025. The measure runs to October 24, 2027.
Carter County
2026-08
Local moratorium on data centers through August 17, 2027
1-year moratorium on all AI data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers, passed 20-1 after public comment ran heavily in favour, to let the county study environmental and community impact. The report dates the vote to 'Monday evening' of the week it published; Aug 17 is that Monday. The measure runs to August 17, 2027.
Cedar Hill
2026-01
Local moratorium on data centers through June 1, 2028
Two-year moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining; first Robertson County city to act. The measure runs to June 1, 2028.
Cedar Hill (Robertson County, mayor proposing 2-year data center + crypto moratorium), TN
2026-06
Cedar Hill (Robertson County, mayor proposing 2-year data center + crypto moratorium), TN data center moratorium
Cedar Hill Mayor John Edwards proposed a 2-year moratorium on data centers and crypto mining, prompted by a large project planned across the state line in Franklin, KY. He plans to bring it to town leaders the following month; no vote yet. On June 1, 2026, the Cedar Hill (Robertson County) council enacted a 2-year moratorium on data centers and crypto-mining within city limits, citing electrical, water, wastewater, noise, and traffic concerns.
Clinton
2026-01
Local moratorium on data centers through December 22, 2026
Six-month moratorium on new data centers, approved unanimously; applies within city limits only. The measure runs to December 22, 2026.
Coffee County
2026-06
One-year data center moratorium
The Coffee County Commission unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on new data centers on June 9, 2026, later adding zoning rules barring them from the agricultural district.
Crossville
2026-08
Local moratorium on data centers through August 12, 2028
Two-year moratorium on data centers and high-density computing, passed on third reading; halts new permits for server farms and crypto mining. Mayor chose moratorium over permanent ban to avoid lawsuits. The measure runs to August 12, 2028 and covers new applications.
Dickson County
2026-07
Six-month moratorium on data center rezonings
The Dickson County Commission approved a six-month moratorium on data centers at its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026. Date corrected from 7-21 to 7-20. The claim that it was kept in place on Sept. 9 was not independently confirmed.
Grundy County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through May 18, 2028
Two-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mining, and high-impact data processing in unincorporated areas; approved unanimously by county commission. The measure runs to May 18, 2028.
Hamblen County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through July 7, 2027
One-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mining, and high-performance computing with 5+ MW peak demand; exempts First Civil District industrial zone. The measure runs to July 7, 2027.
Hamilton County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through July 15, 2027
One-year moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas only; does not affect approved Chattanooga projects. The measure runs to July 15, 2027.
Hawkins County
2026-07
Resolution banning data centers and cryptocurrency mines
The Hawkins County Commission passed a resolution on July 27, 2026 banning data centers and cryptocurrency mines in the county, with 12 yes votes and two commissioners absent. The report states the commission had passed similar measures before and that the county's ban is the subject of a federal lawsuit.
Johnson City
2026-05
Data center moratorium extended to Dec. 3, 2026
The City Commission voted unanimously in May 2026 to extend its existing data center moratorium from June 5 to Dec. 3, 2026 while it studies noise limits and setback rules.
Jonesborough
2026-01
Local moratorium on data centers with no end date
Zoning restriction requiring data centers be at least 1,500 feet from residential structures. The measure has no end date by design.
Knox County
2026-07
One-year data center moratorium (through June 30, 2027)
The Knox County Commission approved a one-year moratorium on data center projects effective through June 30, 2027, defining data centers to include AI and cryptocurrency operations.
Knoxville
2026-07
One-year moratorium on large data centers (10 MW+)
The Knoxville City Council passed an emergency ordinance on July 8, 2026 imposing a one-year moratorium on permitting or construction of large data centers requiring 10 MW or more of power.
Loudon County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through December 30, 2026
Six-month moratorium on new data centers with 50+ MW peak demand; covers permits, zoning, building approvals, utility extensions, and development agreements. The measure runs to December 30, 2026.
Maury County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through July 19, 2027
12-month moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas; 24-month amendment rejected on county attorney advice. Hard end date July 19, 2027. The measure runs to July 19, 2027.
McMinnville
2026-06
Local moratorium on data centers through December 3, 2027
18-month moratorium, unanimous; prompted by a proposed 25 MW Nvidia GB200 NVL72 AI campus. 2,600+ petition signatures. Town halls scheduled Jun 25 and 29. The measure runs to December 3, 2027 and applies at a threshold of 25 MW.
McMinnville (18-month data center moratorium, first reading), TN
2026-06
McMinnville (18-month data center moratorium, first reading), TN data center moratorium
On June 3, 2026, the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved on first reading an 18-month moratorium covering data centers, Bitcoin mining, and microchip manufacturing, following 90+ minutes of public comment, to study infrastructure, environmental, and noise impacts. A second reading is required for final adoption. On June 9, 2026 the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave unanimous final passage to the 18-month moratorium, effective immediately. It was prompted by opposition to a proposed ~25 MW, 96,000-sq-ft AI data center (designed for Nvidia GB200 NVL72) near residential neighborhoods; the city chose a moratorium over a ban for legal defensibility.
Morgan County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through June 12, 2028
Two-year moratorium on data centers capable of 10+ MW peak demand; county commission proactive measure, no proposals pending. The measure runs to June 12, 2028.
Nashville
2026-07
Local moratorium on data centers through December 1, 2026
Metro Council passed the city's first data center regulations plus a permit moratorium; an amendment holds the pause to Dec 1 whether or not the regulations pass. The measure runs to December 1, 2026.
Nashville-Davidson County
2026-07
Data center permit moratorium plus zoning regulations
Metro Council on July 21, 2026 adopted first-ever data center regulations and a moratorium on data center permits through Dec. 1, 2026, banning facilities over 500,000 sq ft.
Roane County
2026-07
Roane County data center moratorium
The Roane County Commission approved a resolution directing the regional planning commission to draft a two-year moratorium -- amended up from an initially proposed 180 days -- on new data centers, cryptocurrency-mining operations, and battery storage facilities. Commissioners cited the burden such facilities can place on emergency-response resources during incident events as the rationale for the extended pause. Roane joins a growing list of East Tennessee counties moving to pause data center development pending study.
Shelbyville
2026-01
Local moratorium on data centers for a stated term
Moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining plants; duration not specified in available sources. The measure has a stated duration whose end date is not recorded.
Smithville
2026-08
18-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining
The Smithville Board of Aldermen gave final approval on Aug. 3, 2026 to an ordinance establishing an 18-month moratorium on applications for high-density computing, data centers and cryptocurrency mining. It runs 18 months from passage or until comprehensive zoning amendments are adopted, whichever comes first; no such project was pending.
Spring City
2026-07
Two-year moratorium on AI data centers
Spring City town officials voted on July 30, 2026, after a public hearing, to approve a two-year moratorium on AI data centers. The report describes the measure as temporary and not a permanent prohibition.
Warren County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through June 22, 2027
12-month moratorium on new data center proposals; separate from McMinnville's 18-month city moratorium. The measure runs to June 22, 2027.
Washington County
2026-03
One-year data center moratorium (through June 30, 2027)
Washington County commissioners voted 13-2 to approve a one-year moratorium forbidding construction, operation and permitting of data centers through June 30, 2027.
White County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers with no end date
Ban on data centers and data mining facilities; did not go through formal zoning process; enforcement challenged by 4.9 MW crypto proposal. The measure has no end date by design and applies at a threshold of 4.9 MW.
Wilson County
2026-07
Temporary data center moratorium
The Wilson County Commission unanimously approved a resolution imposing a six-month moratorium, running from July 20, 2026, on applications and permits for data centers and high-density computing facilities, and created a study committee. Date corrected from 7-21 to 7-20.
Memphis
2026-10
Proposed 12-month data center pause
The Memphis City Council voted 7-5 on October 6, 2026, to postpone a vote on a proposed 12-month data center moratorium, effectively pausing consideration of the measure until October 20. Council members and residents expressed concerns about the impact of data centers, particularly those developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX and xAI, on the community and infrastructure.
Gallatin
2026-09
Proposed twelve-month moratorium on new data centers
Gallatin City Council passed a data center moratorium ordinance on first reading on Sept. 15, 2026, amended from 12 months to six months on the mayor's tie-breaking vote; second reading is pending. Earlier, WSMV reported on July 29 that city leaders had approved a 60-day pause on processing new data center applications; the claimed Aug. 5 date for that suspension was not confirmed.
Moore County
2026-03
Moore County data center moratorium (proposed)
The Moore County, Tennessee, Metro Council is considering a two-year moratorium on data center construction and expansion, which would take effect April 20, 2026. During the moratorium, the county would stop accepting new applications for special use permits, zoning amendments, and building permits related to data centers. County staff would study potential effects on energy use, water demand, noise, and land use in coordination with local utility providers.
Rutherford County
2026-08
Proposed six-month data center moratorium
A Rutherford County commission committee approved a motion on Aug. 5, 2026 proposing a six-month moratorium on data centers, contingent on legal review, and agreed to carry the item to the full County Commission. Planning staff said the county has no data-center-specific regulations and had received no inquiries for large facilities in unincorporated areas.
Sullivan County
2025-11
Sullivan County data center moratorium (proposed)
Sullivan County Commissioner Jessica Means introduced a 4-month moratorium resolution on data mining and crypto mining centers on November 20, 2025. The commission deferred the vote at their December meeting. Subsequently, a major data center project was announced for Sullivan County (Indiana, near Merom Generating Station / Heartland Industrial Park, 1,000+ acres). Phase 1: $20B investment, 750 peak construction jobs, 125 permanent jobs. Phase 2: $45B, 2,000 peak construction jobs, 375 permanent. Project includes seven buildings and two end users. Community benefit package includes $25M to the county per phase plus $4.5M for local programs (Brownbaggers School Food, Merom Camp, Sullivan County Park and Lake).
Where Tennessee stands
Across the whole tracker we hold 334 state-level measures in 49 states and 1253 city and county measures, against 1419 primary sources. Tennessee accounts for 4 of the state-level measures and 38 of the local ones.
By total measures on record it is #15 of the 50 states and DC carrying any tracked action, and #12 by city and county measures alone. Ranking is by count of sourced entries in this dataset, so it measures documented activity, not the size of the buildout.
Sources for Tennessee
40 citations behind the entries above. Each opens in a new tab.
- Statewide · HB 1847 / SB 2128 — Data Center Cost Responsibility Act wkrn.com →
- Statewide · SB 2584 — Taxes, Sales - As introduced, authorizes a qualified data center that applies for job tax credits to certify electronically that it has wapp.capitol.tn.gov →
- Statewide · SB 2266 — Taxes, Sales - As enacted, specifies that any entity that qualifies for exemption as a spallation neutron source facility will not be eligible for a sales wapp.capitol.tn.gov →
- Statewide · SB 2653 — Tennessee: SB2653 creates the Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act, establishing a formal review process for data center impacts on communities wapp.capitol.tn.gov →
- Anderson County and 1 other locality — 2 separate measures, cited together wvlt.tv →
- Bristol — Local moratorium on data centers through October 24, 2027 supertalk929.com →
- Carter County — Local moratorium on data centers through August 17, 2027 elizabethton.com →
- Cedar Hill — Local moratorium on data centers through June 1, 2028 mainstreetmediatn.com →
- Cedar Hill (Robertson County, mayor proposing 2-year data center + crypto moratorium), TN — Cedar Hill (Robertson County, mayor proposing 2-year data center + crypto moratorium), TN data center moratorium fox17.com →
- Clinton — Local moratorium on data centers through December 22, 2026 mycouriernews.com →
- Coffee County — One-year data center moratorium newschannel5.com →
- Crossville — Local moratorium on data centers through August 12, 2028 1025wowcountry.com →
- Dickson County — Six-month moratorium on data center rezonings mainstreetmediatn.com →
- Grundy County — County moratorium on data centers through May 18, 2028 sewaneemessenger.com →
- Hamblen County — County moratorium on data centers through July 7, 2027 hamblencountytn.gov →
- Hamilton County — County moratorium on data centers through July 15, 2027 local3news.com →
- Hawkins County — Resolution banning data centers and cryptocurrency mines wjhl.com →
- Johnson City — Data center moratorium extended to Dec. 3, 2026 supertalk929.com →
- Jonesborough and 1 other locality — 2 separate measures, cited together servercountry.org →
- Knox County — One-year data center moratorium (through June 30, 2027) wate.com →
- Knoxville — One-year moratorium on large data centers (10 MW+) knoxvilletn.gov →
- Loudon County — County moratorium on data centers through December 30, 2026 wvlt.tv →
- Maury County — County moratorium on data centers through July 19, 2027 frontporchradiotn.com →
- McMinnville — Local moratorium on data centers through December 3, 2027 wsmv.com →
- McMinnville (18-month data center moratorium, first reading), TN — McMinnville (18-month data center moratorium, first reading), TN data center moratorium theucnow.com →
- Morgan County — County moratorium on data centers through June 12, 2028 themountainpress.com →
- Nashville — Local moratorium on data centers through December 1, 2026 nashvillebanner.com →
- Nashville-Davidson County — Data center permit moratorium plus zoning regulations wsmv.com →
- Roane County — Roane County data center moratorium wvlt.tv →
- Shelbyville — Local moratorium on data centers for a stated term wsmv.com →
- Smithville — 18-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining wjle.com →
- Spring City — Two-year moratorium on AI data centers wdef.com →
- Washington County — One-year data center moratorium (through June 30, 2027) wjhl.com →
- White County — County moratorium on data centers with no end date wsmv.com →
- Wilson County — Temporary data center moratorium mainstreetmediatn.com →
- Memphis — Proposed 12-month data center pause businessinsider.com →
- Gallatin — Proposed twelve-month moratorium on new data centers newschannel5.com →
- Moore County — Moore County data center moratorium (proposed) mcobserver.news →
- Rutherford County — Proposed six-month data center moratorium cpo.soar.com →
- Sullivan County — Sullivan County data center moratorium (proposed) heraldcourier.com →
What does bind large loads in Tennessee
A moratorium is only one way a data center gets stopped. The grid operator decides whether it can connect at all, and on what terms. Tennessee sits in 2 footprints.
Non-RTO utility territoryDominant
No RTO or ISO market here. Interconnection terms, study queues and curtailment rights for a large load are set by the individual utility and its state commission.
PJM
Large loads must bring new capacity or be curtailed first. Filed, pending at FERC.
TVA serves nearly the whole state, no RTO; Appalachian Power/AEP's Kingsport-area territory in northeast TN is PJM (TN is in PJM's 13-state list).
States next door
8 of the 8 states bordering Tennessee have at least one data-center measure on record. Restrictions tend to travel between neighbors, so this is usually where the next one comes from.
Data centers in Tennessee
The US Data Center Map identifies 75 facilities run by 31 operators in Tennessee, each one placed from primary sources and listed by city and by operator, with the measures on this page beside them.
Open the Tennessee data center map → · The US Data Center Map →
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How to read this page
In force = a moratorium, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback that is currently enacted, by statute or executive order. Paused = a temporary hold on new incentives or applications. Proposed = introduced and still pending. Failed / vetoed = died in committee, was voted down, or was vetoed.
This page is generated from the same primary-sourced dataset as the national U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker and is re-checked on the same weekly cycle, whether or not anything changed. Legislative status changes quickly; it is informational, not legal advice. Spot something out of date in Tennessee? Tell us.
Companion references: the Data Center Grid Operator Watchlist for the interconnection and curtailment rules that bind here, the Data Center Water Tracker for water mandates, and the Data Center Delay Watchlist for named projects.
Why Tennessee is pushing back
The objections repeat from state to state: strain on the electric grid, water drawn for cooling, and the sense that a facility takes local resources without giving much back. SAVRN builds AI factories designed around those three objections: on-site power that does not lean on the public grid, direct-to-chip cooling that does not consume municipal water, and a training institute that puts local people to work inside the building.
See how a SAVRN factory works Talk to us about a Tennessee site