Anne Arundel County approves moratorium on new data centers through 2028
The Anne Arundel County Council voted 7-0 to impose a temporary moratorium on new data center development through Jan. 31, 2028, or until comprehensive regulations are adopted. The county will study energy and water use, infrastructure, noise, air quality and environmental impacts while generally allowing projects already in development to proceed.
The Anne Arundel County Council unanimously approved an amended version of Bill 63-26 establishing a temporary moratorium on new data center development. The moratorium will remain in effect through Jan. 31, 2028, unless the county adopts comprehensive data center legislation sooner. Existing projects and future phases of some established campuses may generally continue.
During the pause, a county work group will study data center impacts and recommend permanent rules covering energy and water consumption, utility infrastructure, noise, air quality, environmental concerns and economic development. Microsoft, which is developing a campus at Annapolis Junction Business Park, opposed the bill's original proposed ban but supported regulations and a work group that would allow existing campuses to continue expanding.