en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Morgan County Commission in Alabama has approved a one-year moratorium prohibiting new data center cryptocurrency mining projects near Somerville. This decision means that the Bitcoin mining facility previously proposed by VoltCore cannot proceed.

VoltCore had originally planned to build a Bitcoin mining data center on a 15-acre plot near Union Road in southeastern Morgan County, close to the intersection of State Routes 36 and 67. On June 23, the county commission voted to approve the moratorium, halting construction while the county evaluates the project's potential impacts. Residents have expressed multiple concerns over noise, the environment, road damage, electrical infrastructure, and the introduction of industrial-scale computing facilities into a rural residential area. More than 450 people have recently signed a petition opposing the development.

Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long stated that resident opposition played a key role in the decision, and the moratorium will give officials more time to gather information on how the facility might affect the surrounding community. Prior to the vote, homeowners near the proposed site had already refused to grant easements for new electrical infrastructure for the project. VoltCore representatives had offered residents compensation packages including cash payments, one year of free internet service, natural gas pipelines, and land restoration, but no homeowner accepted. Residents noted that they chose to move to the area specifically for peace and quiet, and believe the project would alter the community's character. Their concerns also include damage to Union Road from heavy construction vehicles—the road is narrow and unsuitable for industrial traffic—as well as the impact of new high-voltage power lines.

VoltCore representatives stated that the facility would not cause noise pollution, raise local electricity rates, or consume water resources. The company also said the project would create 20 to 30 jobs. VoltCore describes itself as an engineering, procurement, and construction company focused on Alabama and the southeastern United States, with operations covering power generation, digital infrastructure, and industrial facilities. According to its website, the company has delivered over 400 megawatts across 27 projects, with experience in substation design, transmission interconnection, switchgear, high-voltage systems, data centers, high-performance computing campuses, and Bitcoin mining sites.