A group of 12 county commissioners in Tennessee voted unanimously this week to ban crypto mining facilities and data centers in unincorporated areas. The decision, which passed without a single dissenting vote, comes as the county faces an active lawsuit from a digital asset company over earlier regulatory actions.
The unanimous vote
The commissioners didn't mince words. The new ordinance prohibits any new crypto mining or data center operations in the county's unincorporated zones — effectively the rural and unzoned parts of the county. Existing operations aren't grandfathered in; the ban applies to new permits and expansions. The vote was 12-0, a rare show of consensus on a topic that's divided other Tennessee communities.
The pending lawsuit
The ban isn't happening in a vacuum. A digital asset company has already sued the county, though the details of the complaint weren't disclosed in the meeting. The lawsuit predates this week's vote, and it's unclear whether the new ordinance will strengthen or complicate the county's legal position. The company's name hasn't been released publicly, but the case is pending in local court.
What happens now
The ordinance takes effect immediately in unincorporated areas. But the legal fight isn't over. The county will have to defend both the earlier actions that sparked the lawsuit and this new ban. A court date hasn't been set. For now, crypto miners looking to set up shop in this part of Tennessee are out of luck — at least until the judge weighs in.
