Data centers · Oct 21, 2026, 17:46
Memphis Council Splits 6-6 on Data Center Moratorium, Passes 135-Day Pause
Memphis councilors failed to pass a longer data center moratorium on October 20 and approved a substitute 135-day pause with new rules, a decision that bears on xAI's expansion in the city.
Key facts from the Memphis Flyer and WSMV reports; no official photo was available.
Illustration (AI-generated)
The Memphis City Council split 6-6 on October 20 on a proposed data center moratorium, so it failed, and then passed a substitute ordinance enacting a 135-day pause, according to the Memphis Flyer. WSMV also reported the 6-6 result, with council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton absent.
A 6-6 tie, with one member absent, defeated the moratorium before the 135-day substitute passed.
Illustration (AI-generated)
The length of the rejected moratorium is reported differently. The Memphis Flyer and DatacenterDynamics describe it as 18 months, while WSMV describes a 12-month moratorium. All three agree it fell one vote short of passing.
The Memphis Flyer reported that the substitute, sponsored by councilman Jeff Warren, regulates the development, construction, expansion and operation of data centers. WSMV said the regulations cover water use, renewable energy and a phase-out of carbon-based electricity. Council member Jerri Green said councilors received the text only shortly before the vote, and residents said they had not seen it.
Sources
- Memphis councilors reject 18-month data center moratorium · DatacenterDynamics