Maryland Officials Advise Counties on Data Center Moratoriums; Statewide Ban Proposed Amid TeraWulf Project Controversy
Maryland is grappling with data center development, with state officials advising counties to plan during existing moratoriums. A gubernatorial candidate has called for a statewide ban on hyperscale data centers, criticizing Governor Moore over donations tied to a TeraWulf project in Charles County that involves converting a retired coal plant.
Maryland is at a crossroads regarding data center development, with various state entities and political figures weighing in on their future. The Maryland Energy Administration, led by Deputy Director Ian Ullman, has encouraged counties that have enacted temporary data center moratoriums to use this pause effectively, urging them to develop a 'wish list' and learn from other communities that have navigated similar issues. This guidance comes as the state grapples with the energy and infrastructure demands posed by the rapidly expanding data center industry.
The debate has intensified with political figures joining the fray. Dan Cox, a two-time Republican nominee for Maryland governor, has publicly called for a statewide moratorium on 'hyperscale' data centers. Cox has also criticized Governor Wes Moore, linking him to a specific data center project in Charles County. This project, proposed by TeraWulf, involves the controversial repurposing of a retired coal plant for data center operations. Cox highlighted two $6,000 donations Governor Moore received in 2025 from TeraWulf's founder and his wife, suggesting a conflict of interest in the state's approach to data center policy.