Roane County is taking steps to join a growing list of East Tennessee communities slowing the expansion of high-energy tech facilities. The Roane County Commission approved a resolution on Monday asking its Regional Planning Commission for a recommendation on a two-year moratorium on all new data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and battery energy storage systems.

The proposed pause aims to give local leaders time to draft and adopt updated zoning laws and building regulations tailored to these developments.

Across the country, local governments are racing to establish guardrails for energy-intensive infrastructure amid rising concerns over:

• Power grid strain and potential spikes in local utility costs.

• Environmental impacts, including noise levels and localized pollution.

• Quality of life issues in surrounding neighborhoods.

Roane County’s move reflects a broader regional trend. Nearby Knox County and the city of Knoxville recently passed a one-year pause on new data centers. Jefferson County instituted a 10-month moratorium in May, while Loudon County approved a six-month hold in June.

The surge in local regulation comes as energy demands from these facilities accelerate rapidly. According to a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) spokesperson, data centers accounted for roughly 18% of the utility’s total industrial load last year—a demand forecasted to double by 2030.