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Committee hears water, power and on-site generation concerns for data centers
Summary
Members and guests told the advisory committee that large data centers can require high power (tens to hundreds of megawatts), substantial water for closed-loop systems (speaker cited 100,000200,000 gallons per day for one facility), and may rely on on-site generation (diesel or natural-gas turbines) with noise and environmental impacts; several members said those factors support parcel-specific controls.
Speakers at the meeting emphasized utilities as a core siting concern for data centers. County staff and Rosemary Bates (Gallatin) discussed water-use figures and electricity contracts: Bates said Metas Gallatin site uses a closed-loop system and "uses about anywhere from a 100,000 to 200,000 gallons of water a day," and that Meta signed long-term electricity commitments coordinated with TVA. County staff noted that a developers failure to secure a power contract has left a local colocation building empty for years.
Committee members and guests also raised concerns about on-site generation and noise. Bates flagged fuel cells and large engine turbines as a major anxiety and said the county currently lacks specific zoning rules for on-site power generation. A member observed that some operators have minimum power-commitment requirements that create incentives to occupy and use built space. The committee signaled interest in using overlay conditions to require clarity on electricity supply, water sourcing and plans for on-site generation before approvals are finalized.
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