Latest news with #SylvainBruni
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BrightRidge pauses any new data center projects
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — With community concerns growing over a potential south Johnson City site for a Bitcoin mine or data center, BrightRidge announced a halt to 'entertaining proposals for new data center projects in our service area…' Nolichucky raft guides likely to lose 2025 season in Gorge The moratorium includes 'the one being considered in south Johnson City,' which neighboring residents have spoken out against. That opposition has come during Johnson City Commission meetings as the city considers implementing new zoning regulations that would put some guardrails around data centers. Opponents have primarily decried the noise many data centers make as massive fans cool the computers that perform complex computations for everything from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency. BrightRidge's statement Tuesday says the power provider 'values the perspectives of the region's leadership and the long-term economic health of the communities we serve when considering the feasibility of any new development in our region.' The power distributor acknowledged publicly for the first time that it was considering a data center or cryptocurrency mine for property it bought in an I-2 (light industrial) zone last year near one of its substations. A Bitcoin mine in Limestone that buys power from BrightRidge must close by next March as part of a lawsuit settlement, and the south Johnson City site could have been a replacement location. BrightRidge now writes that 'in the case of the south Johnson City project and other similar projects in the near term, the costs currently outweigh the benefits for the communities we serve.' Sylvain Bruni lives near the south Johnson City site and has been among those questioning both the City of Johnson City and BrightRidge about the prospect of a data center there. The Washington County Democratic Party adopted a resolution opposing 'Under-regulation of Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities in Johnson City' Monday night. Bruni welcomed the news of BrightRidge's moratorium but said the general concerns remain. He said citizens need to know the moratorium's timeline and whether any other projects currently in the pipeline could still move forward. Bruni also said the announcement doesn't 'address the specific concerns that neighbors have provided, that is, x, y and z safeguards need to be in place to address the concerns of residents.' Bruni said BrightRidge may have addressed all those concerns, but he believes the lack of clarity on that points to another major concern he has, regarding transparency. 'Knowing where we are in terms of citizens' trust in their government, and the City of Johnson City and BrightRidge, why approach it with less than adequate transparency?' Bruni asked. 'We need to make sure we hold them accountable, so we will continue to have public meetings about it.' The entire BrightRidge statement is below. The utility said it will have 'no further comment' beyond the statement. BrightRidge values the perspectives of the region's leadership and the long-term economic health of the communities we serve when considering the feasibility of any new development in our region. For this reason, BrightRidge is putting a moratorium on entertaining proposals for new data center projects in our service area, including the one being considered in south Johnson City. BrightRidge is a proud regional leader in the adoption and deployment of innovative technology, and we are fully aware of the many benefits a next-generation data center could bring to the communities we serve. However, in the case of the south Johnson City project and other similar projects in the near term, the costs currently outweigh the benefits for the communities we serve. The site in south Johnson City is zoned for industrial use and retains great value to BrightRidge and our customers as a potential power substation and/or a wholesale electricity delivery point for a future industrial user. For this site and others, BrightRidge remains committed to working collaboratively with community leaders to identify future industrial projects that will deliver economic development, create great jobs, and maintain low power bills to the residents we serve. The data center facility located in Limestone, which is currently operating under a settlement agreement with Washington County, remains on track for closure in March 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indivisible Tri-Cities hosts protest and food drive in downtown Johnson City
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A group called Indivisible Tri-Cities hosted a protest and march on Saturday in Johnson City as part of a grassroots National Day of Action, and this demonstration doubled as a food drive. The 'Power of the People Protest & Day of Action' served as a peaceful protest and march, which began on West Walnut Street and ended with a rally and activities in Founders Park, according to the group's social media. Food donation bins were set up around Founders Park and on West Walnut Street, and donations will benefit local food pantries. 'Resistance' fuels protests across Johnson City Saturday An estimated 1,200 community members took part in the march and rally, according to Sylvain Bruni, chair of the Washington County (TN) Democratic Party. The protest and rally were intended to shed light on recent federal actions by the Trump administration and current events nationwide. Indivisible Tri-Cities group member Angela Shaffer told News Channel 11 she came from Bristol, Virginia, to participate. 'The amount of people does not surprise me,' she said. 'I've been to several functions and this does not surprise me. Johnson City's a great place. But we have people traveling to Johnson City. I live in Bristol, Virginia, for example. But I have friends here that are marching. What really impresses me is the number of horns tooting, the number of people waving us out the window and the lack of rudeness. I appreciate that. I think people are very concerned. It's a scary time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
