Mayor O'Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell signed an executive order on Monday directing city departments to study the impact of large data centers and provide support for a plan to temporarily pause new centers.

Why it matters: O'Connell's order comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Driving the news: O'Connell points out that he can't unilaterally impose a moratorium on new data centers because of state law. Instead, he told city departments to support moratorium legislation currently working its way through the Metro Council.

He also directed Metro Codes, Health, Planning, Transportation Water, Nashville Electric Service to study the impacts of large data centers.

O'Connell asked the agencies to investigate the environmental, infrastructure, neighborhood and economic impacts of data centers.

What he's saying: "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."

What's next: O'Connell asked city officials to present policy recommendations for how to handle large data centers.

Council is already considering legislation from Councilmember Rollin Horton, which would ban large-scale centers and implement guidelines for smaller new proposals.