'No-Brainer': Harford County Council Unanimously Votes to Ban Data Centers in All Zoning Districts

Harford County bans data centers permanently — but the law might not hold up

Harford County voted Tuesday night, unanimously, to permanently ban data centers — a sweeping move that council members acknowledge may be legally vulnerable but say reflects the will of community members determined to keep industrial-scale technology development out of their…

Harford council passes Maryland's first permanent data center ban

Officials cited electricity costs and health concerns. Economic development groups warn the broad ban could hurt local businesses and invite lawsuits.

Harford County Council unanimously votes to ban data centers

The Harford County Council has voted unanimously to ban data centers countywide, approving County Executive Bob Cassilly’s emergency legislation. Cassilly signed the bill Wednesday, which now makes Harford County the first local jurisdiction in Maryland to enact an outright prohibition on data center development. “I would like to thank the citizens who came to last night’s public hearing and everyone who offered support for my legislation,” Cass…

Harford County becomes first in Maryland to ban data centers

History was made in Bel Air on Tuesday as Harford County became the first local government in Maryland to ban data centers outright.

'No-brainer': Harford County Council unanimously votes to ban data centers in all zoning districts

The Harford County Council approved a bill 7-0 Tuesday night that prohibits data centers from all zoning districts in the county. Harford County Council unanimously votes to ban data centers Harford County unanimously bans data centers after community pushback Dozens of residents packed the chambers wearing green, with so many people showing up that the room hit capacity. Forty-six speakers addressed the council both for and against the ban, wit…

County bans data center development after unanimous vote

Harford County is the first Maryland jurisdiction to ban data centers. Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly on Wednesday signed Bill 26-011, which the County Council passed unanimously Tuesday night after holding a public hearing on legislation that bans data center development. The passage comes after more than a month of debate, making Harford the first local government in Maryland to prevent the construction of data centers. Cassilly’s offic…