Lawrence County residents deserve transparency, careful planning, and a full public review process before any/all types of data center projects move forward in our community.

Data centers can place significant demands on local infrastructure, including electricity systems, water resources, and emergency services. Because of these potential impacts, communities across the country have begun reviewing zoning regulations, environmental protections, and long-term planning policies before approving similar developments.

At this stage, many residents believe Lawrence County and the City of Lawrenceburg should enact a temporary 18-month moratorium on any/all types of data center approvals. A temporary moratorium would provide local officials, utility providers, environmental experts, and community members time to properly evaluate the potential impacts before long-term decisions are made.

During this 18-month review period, local leaders should consider:

• Conducting infrastructure and utility impact studies in coordination with T.C.A. requirements to ensure data center developers bear 100% of the cost for necessary electrical substation expansions and high-voltage line extensions rather than local ratepayers
• Reviewing projected water and energy demands, water treatment procedures, wastewater restrictions, water table impact, stormwater runoff requirements, and well water impact
• Evaluating potential impacts on vulnerable populations, local waterways, wildlife, threatened species, livestock, environmentally sensitive areas, and public use spaces like cemeteries and parks
• Assessing emergency response and fire suppression requirements
• Reviewing zoning, land-use regulations, sound decibel, buffer zone standards, and nearby property value impact related to industrial-scale technology facilities, especially in our rural countryside
• Assessing the impact on the Amish population, their health and way of life, and local tourism industry
• Holding a public town hall with local officials, data center representatives, and independent environmental and industry experts
• Studying how similar projects have impacted other rural communities

This request is not about opposing technology or economic development. It is about ensuring growth happens responsibly, transparently, and in a way that protects the natural resources, infrastructure capacity, and quality of life of Lawrence County residents.

A temporary moratorium would allow the community to make informed decisions based on facts, expert analysis, and public input rather than rushing into approvals without sufficient review.

We respectfully ask Lawrence County and City of Lawrenceburg leaders to pause approvals for any/all types of data center developments for 18 months while comprehensive studies and public discussions take place.

Please sign this petition to support a temporary 18-month moratorium and responsible community planning for the future of Lawrence County.