Memphis Weighs Data Center Moratorium

Memphis City Council is scheduled to consider a temporary moratorium on accepting, processing, approving, and issuing permits for new data centers on August 18, 2026.

The proposed pause would give city and county agencies time to study infrastructure, utility, environmental, and neighborhood effects amid continued attention to xAI facilities in Memphis. If adopted, the measure could delay new projects within city limits and shift development pressure toward surrounding jurisdictions.