Residents urge ban or stronger rules on data centers, citing water and noise risks

Dozens of Smith County residents told the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on June 25 that they oppose permitting modern data centers in rural areas and urged a ban or much stronger controls.

"Data centers drain the available water," said Crystal Jennings, who identified herself as a lifelong Smith County resident, arguing that large facilities can use "anywhere from 50,000 gallons to 5,000,000 gallons of water a day" and could threaten wells and fragile ecosystems. Multiple speakers raised similar concerns, citing noise, potential PFAS in cooling systems and harm to wildlife and pollinators.

Other residents asked for specific ordinance improvements: mandatory decommissioning bonds (one written comment proposed 125% of estimated decommissioning cost), expanded setbacks beyond the draft 60 feet, and more frequent post‑occupancy noise monitoring than the draft's proposed annual checks. Becky Johnson and Rose Likens, among others, urged explicit requirements for water, sewer and waste‑disposal plans and for independent verification that utility costs would not be borne by county residents.

Speakers also questioned the economic case for data centers in the county. Several residents said the facilities create few permanent jobs and could depress property values near large industrial installations. The meeting produced repeated calls for a moratorium from the public; county attorneys later advised the board that courts often strike blanket moratoria and that zoning standards are the primary regulatory tool (see separate article).