By Tabitha Evans Moore | Editor & Publisher
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Questions about growth, land use, and water capacity continue to dominate discussions during Monday’s Metro Council meeting, as members raised concerns about the potential impacts of large-scale industrial projects, including potential AI data centers, ongoing solar farm construction in Moore County, and products being used at the 3 River Energy Partners anaerobic digester.
Council members discussed whether the county should consider a moratorium on AI data centers or adopt broader land-use protections to address development with high demands on natural resources. The AI Data Center moratorium was send to the Metro Council after a unanimous vote at the Metro Planning Commission.
While no such project has been proposed locally, several members said recent conversations at the state and national level prompted them to question whether Moore County is prepared for that type of infrastructure.
Concerns cited during the discussion included heavy water usage, increased power demand, generator noise near residential areas, and a lack of permanent job creation once construction is complete. Metro Planning Chair Dexter Golden noted that while temporary construction jobs may be created, AI data centers typically require minimal long-term staffing.
Council members also debated whether regulations should apply narrowly to AI data centers or be expanded to address any industrial development that could significantly affect farmland, water systems, or residential areas. No action was taken, but a proposed five-year moratorium on AI Datacenter is anticipated in February’s meeting.
In a related discussion, council members expressed frustration over the environmental impact and road safety at the solar farm under construction near Cumberland Springs Road and Raysville Road. Multiple members described muddy conditions along public roads, sediment runoff into nearby creeks, and concerns that erosion controls have not been adequately implemented.
Officials acknowledged that the site has drawn attention from regulators and that citations have been issued at the state level by Tennessee Highway Patrol. Council members questioned whether work should be paused until mitigation measures are properly enforced, particularly where runoff could affect local water sources.
Council Member Peggy Blackburn also brought up specific concerns about a binding agent using a humic acid called Suffaloc being used a the 3 River Energy Partners anaerobic digester stating her research indicated that “long term use could result in chronic health issues.”
The binding agent was mentioned in a letter from 3 Rivers to the Metro Planning Commission in January.
Suffaloc is a liquid humic acid–based soil stabilizer. This material is concentrated organic material that is used in nature to hold various sulfur and sulfide-based compounds for further use by biology, according to a January 6 letter from 3 Rivers Energy Partners. The letter further claims that “humic acid actually has positive effects on soil health, though the volume we are using during this temporary period will ultimately be negligible, as it will make up nowhere near a significant amount in our digestate before it is sent to farmland.”
During the meeting Planning Chair and Council Member Dexter Golden stated that 3 River personnel were pressed about water safety during a recent meeting and he was told that both TDEC and the Metro Utility Department regularly tests water for safety but suggested that local Environmental Engineer Tony Grow, who is overseeing the 3 River project for Metro, could be hired to do additional, independent testing.
No formal votes were taken on either issue, but the discussion signaled growing concern among council members about how development decisions could affect Moore County’s water resources, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability as growth pressures increase.•
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