Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Nashville TN
Who decides where data centers go near Nashville — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.
Who Decides on Data Centers Near Nashville
DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR NASHVILLE
HERE Nashville has been following data-center decisions that reach Nashville — the stories are below, along with every official body that would have a say.
A data center in or near Nashville would first need local land-use approval through Metro Nashville. Power would come through Nashville Electric Service, which buys its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the federal agency that decides whether it can serve very large new loads. Air and water permits come from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report
What’s on file near Nashville
- On file so farNo local data-center campus vote is on file for Nashville yet; here is HERE Nashville's reporting so far.
HERE Nashville data center coverage
- From HERE NashvilleNov 2, 2026 · TN
Tennessee Data Centers Spread as Towns Push Back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee now has somewhere between 60 and 65 data centers in operation, and a growing list of local governments wants to slow down…
- From HERE NashvilleOct 19, 2026 · TN
Energy and Data Centers Divide Tennessee Governor Hopefuls
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Energy, the environment and the boom in power-hungry data centers have opened one of the clearest divides between the two major-party nominees for…
Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits
Zoning & Planning
Local Elected Body
State Utility Regulator
Electric Utility
Environmental, Water & Air Permits
From across the HERE network
- From HERE MemphisOct 20, 2026 · TN
Memphis City Council Set to Vote on Data Center Moratorium
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A one-year pause on new data centers in Memphis comes back before the City Council on Tuesday, two weeks after a heated meeting…
- From HERE MemphisOct 15, 2026 · TN
Memphis Council Delays Data Center Moratorium Vote Again
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A proposed one-year pause on new data centers in Memphis is still waiting on a final vote, after the City Council chose this…
- From HERE MemphisOct 13, 2026 · TN
Shelby County Advances Data Center Pause on First Vote
Memphis, Tenn. — Shelby County commissioners narrowly advanced a temporary pause on data centers in unincorporated areas Monday, passing a first reading even as some members…
- From HERE MemphisOct 9, 2026 · TN
Memphis, Tenn.: Council passes data center rules first reading
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis City Council members on Thursday passed two ordinances regulating data centers on first reading, advancing zoning changes while leaving a proposed temporary…
- From HERE MemphisOct 8, 2026 · TN
Memphis, Tenn., Council Resumes Data Center Moratorium Talks
The Memphis City Council in Memphis, Tenn., returns Thursday to the proposed data center moratorium, two days after a meeting on the ordinance broke down amid…
- From HERE MemphisOct 14, 2026 · TN
Taylor and Pearson Split on Crime, Data Centers in 9th District
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Energy prices, data centers and crime are at the center of the race for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, where two Memphis state lawmakers…
- From HERE RaleighNov 3, 2026 · NC
Raleigh Data Center Expansion Slips in Ahead of Moratorium
RALEIGH, N.C. — A planned data center expansion in west Raleigh will be reviewed under the city’s old rules because the application landed four days before…
- From HERE SavannahNov 2, 2026 · GA
OpenAI Data Center Plan Up for Vote Tuesday in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County commissioners meeting in Springfield, Ga., are scheduled to decide Tuesday evening whether to approve site plans for Project Camellia, the large…
- From HERE LansingOct 31, 2026 · MI
Delhi Township Board Votes Against Proposed Holt Data Center
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Three days after regional developers floated a giant data center for Delhi Township, the township board voted 6-0 Friday night to go…
Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.
Data Centers Near Nashville: FAQ
Who approves a data center rezoning near Nashville?
Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in Nashville that is Metro Nashville, Metro Nashville Council. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.
Who approves the power supply for a data center near Nashville?
Local power companies in the Tennessee Valley buy electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which decides whether it can serve very large new loads. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission regulates investor-owned utilities in the state.
Which Tennessee agency issues environmental permits for a data center?
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.
How can a Nashville resident weigh in on a data center?
Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.
What data center decisions are on file near Nashville?
HERE Nashville has published recent reporting on data-center decisions affecting the area, linked on this page, including: Tennessee Data Centers Spread as Towns Push Back; Energy and Data Centers Divide Tennessee Governor Hopefuls.
Data Center Coverage Across HERE
Resource centers for other HERE cities