In May 2023, Henderson County commissioners imposed a 60-day moratorium on “cryptocurrency mining,” citing the “potential to cause significant harm to the county’s citizens.” Cryptocurrency mining, the county said in a resolution, “requires the use of a great amount of electricity for the calculations, and additional quantities of electricity or other cooling methods to disperse the heat created in the calculation process. In addition, cryptocurrency mining creates noise which is often unreasonably disturbing to nearby landowners.”
County zoning has no specific listing for “data centers” but there is one for “cryptocurrency mining operations.” Such uses are only permitted in industrial zoning districts, require a special-use permit and include restrictions for noise. In May 2023, Henderson County commissioners enacted a 60-day moratorium on cryptocurrency mining, citing the potential to cause harm to the county’s citizens. The resolution notes that cryptocurrency mining requires the use of a large amount of electricity for calculations and additional cooling to manage the heat, with noise that can disturb nearby landowners. This regulatory move underscores the county’s concern about the broader impacts of mining operations on local infrastructure and quality of life.
The county’s zoning code has no specific listing for data centers, but it does include cryptocurrency mining operations. Such uses are permitted only in industrial zoning districts and require a special-use permit, with accompanying restrictions on noise. The moratorium reflects a cautious approach to how data-intensive activities interact with local utilities and residential areas, potentially shaping future permitting standards for mining operations and related facilities.
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