By: Glenn Harbison

Fannin County commissioners have continued their efforts to protect the county’s residents and natural resources from the likely effects of data centers, biosolids, and crypto and Bitcoin mining.

Chairman Jamie Hensley was joined in unanimous votes by Post commissioners Johnny Scearce and Glenn Patterson in passing three resolutions during the commission board’s regular meeting Tuesday, May 26.

Data centers, biosolids, and crypto and Bitcoin mining were targeted in the separate resolutions. In each case, moratoriums were extended on accepting applications for any of the activities through September 30, 2026. 

Commissioners have repeatedly voiced concerns on the effects data centers, and crypto and Bitcoin mining operations would have related to excessive noise, the draw on the power grid, and the huge amounts of water often used including the effects on that water when released back into creeks and streams. Biosolid worries center on odor, and the effect on groundwater and the public health. Studies have continued to show the increasing danger of PFAS – forever chemicals – found in the waste.

County Attorney Lynn Doss said the county Planning Commission is working on requirements to address all the operations. 

She explained how a court decision affects those requirements. An ordinance cannot prevent any of the activities, but must set specific standards. The ordinance would tell any prospective developer, “If you come, you must meet x, y, and z standards,” Doss said.

With that in mind, she explained a training session when the speaker explained if a community wants a data center, etc., requirements are written one way, but, if a facility is not wanted, requirements are written another way.

She said the county Planning Commission hopes to have something to put before the commissioners at the board’s last meeting in July. In turn, an ordinance could be adopted prior to the end of the moratoriums September 30.

Doss said the moratoriums can only remain in place while the county can show progress is being made toward a solution.