Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s attempt to use eminent domain to block a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo took a step forward with approval from the Metro Council.
This data center rivals TVA’s largest coal plant for climate pollution
Power plants, an oil refinery and a chemical plant are among Tennessee’s top climate polluters. If Elon Musk’s sprawling xAI data center campus in Memphis were included in that lineup, it would rank second.
NashVillager Podcast: Eminent domain
How does the government take the land it wants? Plus, the local news for July 23, 2026.
Nashville passes first regulations on data centers, as city officials promise more action
The Metro Council has now passed limits on where new data centers can go in Nashville, as well as their use of power sources like on-site gas turbines. Mayor Freddie O’Connell says additional efforts are moving forward, including one targeting the proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo.
Nashville’s data center ordinance lost a key environmental safeguard. What you need to know
Nashville’s city council will consider finalizing new legislation on Tuesday to regulate data centers, but a key environmental safeguard was stripped out earlier this month, with potentially serious consequences for public health and the environment.
What DC BLOX’s murky plans in Nashville signal for electricity costs, environmental impacts
Data center developer DC BLOX may be planning a bigger facility near the Nashville Zoo than the company initially revealed. Or it may end up being smaller. Details of the planned project have evolved, sparking widespread concerns.
NashVillager Podcast: Next steps for Tennessee’s AI and datacenters
Who have tech firms lined up to make the case for building more datacenters in our communities? Plus, the local news for July 13, 2026.
Why Nashville will struggle to block the DC BLOX data center near zoo
A data center planned near the Nashville Zoo may still be able to muscle through legal hurdles, new city legislation and an enormous wave of community pushback.
Nashville’s hottest ticket? Try the Metro Council hearing on data centers
One of the most popular tickets in Nashville could be for Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting, when city leaders will consider multiple proposals to regulate new data centers. Officials are trying a new protocol in anticipation of a flood of speakers.
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