Edmonson County enacts one-year moratorium on Data Centers, AI Facilities

BROWNSVILLE, Ky. (WNKY) – Edmonson County leaders have approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers, artificial intelligence facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations and other high-intensity computing developments while officials study their potential impacts on the county.

The Edmonson County Fiscal Court adopted Ordinance EC26-18, which immediately halts the acceptance, review, approval and processing of permits, licenses, rezoning requests and other applications related to the establishment, construction, expansion or operation of such facilities within the county.

County officials cited concerns about the rapidly growing development of data centers and AI-related facilities across Kentucky and the nation, along with unanswered questions about their long-term effects on local communities.

According to the ordinance, fiscal court members believe the facilities could significantly affect electrical systems, water resources, telecommunications infrastructure, public safety services, roadways, land-use compatibility, environmental conditions and residents’ quality of life.

The ordinance also notes that limited research and case studies exist regarding the long-term impacts of data centers, AI facilities and cryptocurrency mining operations. Fiscal court members said additional study is needed to determine whether the facilities could create health and safety concerns and to evaluate how local infrastructure could accommodate such developments.

Ordinance EC26-18 Moratorium (Data Centers)

During the moratorium period, county officials plan to conduct research, consult with engineers, utility providers, environmental experts and planners, review state and federal regulations, and assess infrastructure capacity and community impacts. Officials may also draft potential ordinances, development standards, licensing requirements and other regulations during the study period.

The ordinance broadly defines covered facilities to include traditional data centers, AI model training and processing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations and other computing facilities requiring substantial electrical, cooling, water or telecommunications resources.

The moratorium will remain in effect for one year unless it is repealed, amended or extended by the fiscal court.

Existing facilities operating before the ordinance’s effective date are exempt, as are ordinary business operations using standard commercial computer systems that do not meet the ordinance’s definition of high-intensity computing facilities.

The ordinance was adopted by the Edmonson County Fiscal Court on Monday, June 8 and took effect immediately upon passage and publication.