Enact a Moratorium on Data Centers and Crypto Mining in Morristown, TN 

Why we need a moratorium: The Morristown City Council is considering a fast-tracked proposal to allow data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in Morristown's Heavy Industrial zones. The proposal passed by the City Planning Commission on September 8, 2026, leaves our community completely vulnerable. Refer to the Morristown Planning Commission web page. Scroll down to the Sept. 8, 2026 Regular Meeting and click on agenda. (See page 11) 

• The current proposal allows facilities to be built as close as 500 feet from homes, schools, and government buildings. 
• The current proposal includes NO decibel (sound) limits on the massive cooling systems that run 24/7, causing persistent noise pollution (even if in an enclosed building). 
• The current proposal has no stipulations on water usage such as requiring a closed-loop system. 
• The current proposal has no restrictions to prevent local electrical customers from being hit with price increases. A Georgia Tech study shows that electric prices rise by about 5% after a data center is built.  

We are not a tech testing ground. Hamblen County is the third smallest county in Tennessee by land area. We cannot afford to tie up our limited land, water, and power grid for automated facilities that provide no real value to locals. 

The City of Morristown already has one crypto mining facility located in the East Tennessee Valley 
Industrial Park. This one small facility pays the highest electricity bill of all MUS customers. The WBIR.com article in 2022 said it would employ 3-5 people. These facilities are NOT job creators. 

                                                                                                Our Ask 
We petition the Morristown City Council to implement an immediate 6-to-9-month moratorium on 
the approval and permitting of all new data centers, crypto mining, and similar facilities. Rather than rushing to approve an inadequate proposal that does not provide sufficient restrictions, our city leaders should take a step back. A temporary pause will give officials time to establish strict, measurable noise limits and study the structural toll these facilities take on our power grid, water system, environment, and public health. 

At this time, it is likely that the first vote on the data center/crypto text amendment will take place at 
the City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 6 at 5:00 PM at the Morristown City Center with the second and final vote taking place on Tuesday, October 20 at 5:00 PM at the City Center. 

Please sign this petition and contact the Morristown City Council members to urge them to pass a moratorium on data centers/crypto to allow further study. We need to protect our neighborhoods, schools, and infrastructure. 
                                                     Pause data centers in the city of Morristown now