Planning commission demands emergency training, decommissioning plans and utility coordination for data centers

Commissioners raised public‑safety and long‑term financial protections for Coffee County in their July 28 discussion of data‑center permitting. They told staff that companies should pay for emergency training and equipment, must disclose hazardous on‑site chemicals, and should carry remediation funds to cover decommissioning rather than leaving taxpayers to clean up abandoned sites.

"I don't think this needs to cost the county any money," the Chair said, arguing that owners should furnish equipment and training for emergency responders. Commissioners discussed potential models, including remediation escrows or annual community impact fees tied to megawatt capacity — the meeting cited an example where counties charge per megawatt as a proxy for long‑term costs. The planner said staff will research bonding and state permitting practices and consult TDEC to learn whether state programs or fees could contribute to cleanup or oversight.

The commission also explored power‑supply issues, noting that even if applicants build substations they will still coordinate with TVA or Duck River Electric for transmission. Members asked staff to confirm how local utilities and state agencies would factor into permitting and to return recommended language on decommissioning, impact fees and emergency obligations in the next draft.