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Montgomery County Council Approves 18-Month Moratorium on Data Centers
The unanimous vote gives county leaders time to assess health, environmental and energy concerns as Maryland studies data center impacts.
- The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center facilities, expanding protections from a previous six-month executive order issued by County Executive Marc Elrich.
- Councilmembers negotiated the 18-month term as a compromise, aiming to create guardrails for the burgeoning industry to ensure energy usage aligns with public benefits and community protections.
- The Council also approved zoning amendments blocking data centers larger than 25 megawatts. Food & Water Watch advocates applauded the vote but urged regulations for smaller projects currently excluded.
- Similar moratoriums are spreading across Maryland as jurisdictions evaluate environmental impacts; Prince George's County and Frederick County have enacted pauses, while Worcester County passed a year-long moratorium.
- Planning staff will continue advising County Commissioners on integrating data center regulations into the Zoning Code to address environmental concerns and the "AI data center invasion" critics say threatens communities.
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Montgomery County will pay $1.5 million on the Maryland side of White's Ferry and pressure Virginia to reopen the Potomac crossing, closed since 2020.
Cobb to consider extending moratorium on data centers as staff amends zoning code
MARIETTA — The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is looking at extending the county's moratorium on new data center applications as staff continue crafting zoning regulations for an industry that did not exist when the county’s zoning code was adopted…
·Georgia, United States
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Maryland Supreme Court shares reasoning in data center referendum opinion
The Supreme Court of Maryland has released its full opinion explaining its decision on June 30 to not allow a voter referendum on the ordinance that created Frederick County's new data center zone.
·Georgia, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 25%
C 67%
Factuality
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