The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Edmonson County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Edmonson County’s enacted one-year pause blocks approvals for new data centers and expansions while the county studies possible rules; existing facilities may continue operating.
Rating from Kentucky statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Edmonson County.
Specific to Edmonson County only.
current law · County measureProhibits new data center applications and development in Edmonson County for one year while officials study their potential impacts.Kentucky Edmonson County Ordinance EC26-18 (2026)
What this means
The one-year moratorium would block new data center projects and expansions by stopping related applications and approvals. Existing facilities could keep operating, but the pause would substantially delay development while the county studies possible rules.
Timing
- Ends
- one (1) year from the date of passage
The moratorium remains in effect for one year unless repealed, amended, or extended by subsequent action of the Edmonson County Fiscal Court.
People behind it
- Edmonson County Fiscal Court
Adopted and enacted Ordinance No. EC26-18 establishing the one-year moratorium.
- Scott Lindsey
Edmonson County Judge/Executive who signed the ordinance and participated in its enactment.
- Kevin Alexander
Edmonson County Fiscal Court Clerk who attested to the ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
A one-year moratorium, effective immediately upon passage and publication, prohibits the establishment, construction, development, expansion, or operation of data centers, AI facilities, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and similar high-intensity computing facilities in Edmonson County. The moratorium may be repealed, amended, or extended by the Fiscal Court.
During the moratorium, the County may not accept, review, approve, issue, or process applications or authorizations related to covered facilities, including permits, licenses, rezoning requests, conditional-use permits, building permits, and business licenses.
The restrictions apply broadly to facilities requiring substantial electrical, cooling, water, telecommunications, or other infrastructure resources, including facilities used for large-scale computational processing, AI model training, machine learning, cryptocurrency mining, or blockchain validation.
Existing facilities that were lawfully operating before the ordinance took effect are exempt, as are ordinary business operations using standard commercial computer systems that do not qualify as high-intensity computing facilities.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Existing data centers and other covered facilities that were lawfully operating before the ordinance took effect are exempt from the moratorium and may continue operating.
Sources
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