Memphis Mayor Paul Young has issued an executive order demanding a 90-day study to develop regulation recommendations for hyperscale data centers in Memphis.
The study will occur as the Memphis City Council continues to consider various legislation options that would regulate data center development in the city, Young announced at a press conference Oct. 9.
Young made it clear the issuance of the executive order — which creates a timeline and calls for guidelines — does not interfere with any action from the council.
The executive order comes days after the city council narrowly voted to postpone talks of a moratorium, which spurred an influx of national attention on Memphis as disgruntled members of the audience became disruptive at city council.
The council's Oct. 6 meeting had to be recessed due to extended protesting.
According to Young's office, the study he is commissioning will recommend specific actions to the city council, Shelby County Health Department, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, and other regulatory agencies.
The study will address topics like land use, neighborhood protections, air quality and energy and utility costs. The executive order also requires at least three "community education sessions," which will include opportunities for the public to learn of the study's findings and give comments.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431, and followed on X @AnnieSGoldman.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Mayor Paul Young issues executive order for data center action
