TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Apr 13, 2026

The Beacon Center of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit in federal court that seeks to repeal a sweeping ban on data centers and cryptocurrency mines that was enacted by Hawkins County late last year. The Beacon Center is representing ExoticRidge, a Kentucky-based cryptocurrency mining company which wants to build an eight megawatt bitcoin mine adjacent to a fractionation plant in the farming community of Bulls Gap, WPLN reports. People who live nearby say they do not want a bitcoin mine next door, fearing the potential for noise pollution and increased energy rates, which led the Hawkins County Commission in September 2025 to pass a resolution banning data center development. The Beacon Center’s complaint alleges Hawkins County has violated the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution and alleges the county discriminated against ExoticRidge based solely on their industry. Crypto mines are a type of data center, which is a group of computers that operate 24/7 to run algorithms, solve equations or store data for internet access.