Mayor Freddie O’Connell has signed an executive order directing Metro departments to study the impacts of large-scale data centers and develop recommendations for future regulations as Nashville considers a temporary moratorium on new facilities.

Executive Order 59, signed June 15, places the full support of Metro government behind efforts already underway to pause the development of additional large-scale data centers while city leaders evaluate their potential effects on neighborhoods, infrastructure and natural resources.

The order instructs Metro departments to identify legal and practical measures that can help protect Nashville’s air quality, water resources, public spaces and residents from potential negative impacts associated with large-scale data center operations.

“We don’t want the potential negative impacts of large-scale data centers in our neighborhoods, so in partnership with the Metro Council, we’re taking action to ensure we put proper regulations in place before any more of these things are proposed,” O’Connell said. “With this executive order, we’ll work with Metro departments and the Metro Council to ensure Nashville remains a place where our residents’ health and safety always come first.”

The action comes amid growing concerns nationwide about the rapid expansion of data centers, which support cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital storage but can also require significant amounts of electricity and water while placing additional demands on local infrastructure.

Under the executive order, the Mayor’s Office, Metro Planning Department, Planning Commission and Metro Council will work together to develop a regulatory framework for future data center proposals.

City officials said the administration shares residents’ desire to better understand the cumulative impacts of large-scale data center development before additional facilities are approved within Nashville and Davidson County.

The order directs Metro agencies to examine four primary areas of concern:

 •   Infrastructure impacts, including demands on utilities, transportation networks and public services;

 •   Environmental impacts, including effects on air quality, water resources and energy consumption;

 •   Economic impacts, including costs and benefits associated with development and operations; and

 •   Community impacts, including potential effects on neighborhoods and quality of life.

According to the administration, aligning departments across Metro government will help ensure that future policy decisions are guided by thorough analysis, community input and a clear understanding of neighborhood impacts.

The executive order took effect immediately and is intended to support ongoing discussions between the administration and Metro Council regarding a temporary moratorium and potential long-term regulations governing large-scale data centers in Nashville.