LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (WTVF) — Plans for a data center are moving forward in Lawrenceburg, at least for now. The site plans passed through the city planning commission unanimously.
Signaling, this project has gained momentum despite community push back. A petition asking city leaders for moratorium now has more than 7,000 signatures. According to Lawrenceburg's website, they city's population is 14,000.
Some residents who attended the meeting Thursday had to wait outside due to capacity limits. A representative from Lawrenceburg Utilities System shed some more light on the proposed project. He said it would be a 4.9 megawatt network or edge data center facility and would not be their largest customer. The company would use a closed loop cooling system and would initially draw 20,000 gallons of water which will flush the system, then drained into a tanker and hauled away. Another 20,000 gallons would be used to run the cooling system. After that water usage would be around 40-60 gallons a day. LUS says 40-60 gallons a day is less than the average residential or small commercial customer. LUS says they have plenty of capacity to supply the water needs.
The plans for the data center now head to the city council. In Lawrence County, St. Joseph is working to pass an ordinance that bans data centers altogether.
This is a story NewsChannel 5 first reported on, thanks to your voice. Do you have concerns about data center developments or other projects in your community? You can email me at Megan.Scarano@NewsChannel5.com
A slip-and-slide for seniors?! Who knew it could stir laughter and tears. Photojournalist Angie Dones captures a story filled with so much joy and one that will tug at your heartstrings.
- Carrie Sharp
