# Morgan County Passes Bitcoin Mining Moratorium

**Published:** 2026-07-01T15:23:31.355Z  
**Topic:** Bitcoin  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/fe5eeec6-0b80-4575-8525-0b895afae9b1

Morgan County approved a 12-month moratorium on a proposed 50-megawatt Bitcoin mining center after residents rejected easements for 75-foot utility poles.

The Morgan County Commission unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers, pausing a proposed 50-megawatt Bitcoin mining facility near Somerville after residents refused easements for utility infrastructure [3].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Moratorium length | 12 months [3] |
| Power capacity | 50 megawatts [3] |
| Land cost | $300,000 (Aug 2025) [3] |
| Easement status | Homeowners refused [1][3] |

## Regulatory pushback
The commission voted 4-0 to adopt the moratorium in unincorporated Morgan County to study environmental impacts and neighborhood disruption [3]. Commission Chairman Ray Long described the move as a "pause button," noting that while the commission lacks the power to stop the project permanently, it needs time to assess health risks and strategy [3]. The facility, planned by Sovereign Gazelle on 15 acres near Union Road, faces opposition not only locally but at the state level; State Senator Arthur Orr is drafting legislation to potentially require data centers to locate in industrial parks or obtain county permits, though this may not impact the current Somerville proposal [3].

## Community resistance and infrastructure
Sovereign Gazelle, incorporated in April, requires rights of way from four property owners to install 75-foot utility poles for 50-megawatt power lines—enough electricity for approximately 42,000 homes [3]. Residents have rejected offers of cash payments, free internet for a year, and natural gas lines, citing concerns about road damage, noise, and potential health risks from high-voltage lines [1][3]. Joe Wheeler EMC, which would supply the power, stated it is "agnostic" but cannot refuse service to a compliant member; however, the utility noted that securing easements is the responsibility of the developer, not the co-op [3].

## What to watch
*   **Environmental assessment:** Whether a study finds impacts on endangered species, including three species of bats, which could elevate the issue to federal jurisdiction [3].
*   **Legislative action:** The outcome of Senator Arthur Orr’s efforts to pass a bill granting counties regulatory authority over data center locations [3].
*   **Alternative routing:** Whether Sovereign Gazelle can secure easements on nearby Antioch Road if access to Union Road remains blocked [3].

The moratorium provides a temporary reprieve for residents, but the commission acknowledges that without new zoning authority or federal intervention based on environmental findings, the facility could eventually proceed [3].

## Sources
1. WAFF — [Somerville homeowners oppose bitcoin mining data center proposal](https://www.waff.com/2026/06/12/somerville-homeowners-oppose-bitcoin-mining-data-center-proposal/)
2. Fox10tv — [Somerville residents gather hundreds of signatures against bitcoin mining center](https://www.fox10tv.com/video/2026/06/19/somerville-residents-gather-hundreds-signatures-against-bitcoin-mining-center/)
3. Decaturdaily — [Morgan County Commission approves 12-month moratorium to block bitcoin data center | Morgan County | decaturdaily.com](https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/morgan-county-commission-approves-12-month-moratorium-to-block-bitcoin-data-center/article_ee3b7836-0fe4-409b-9579-c7851907a0b4.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Morgan County Passes Bitcoin Mining Moratorium", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/fe5eeec6-0b80-4575-8525-0b895afae9b1