Calvert’s Environmental Commission Pleads For Data Center Pause
Calvert County's Environmental Commission has formally requested that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) implement an immediate pause on data center development. The commission cited significant environmental concerns and a lack of adequate information to make informed decisions. They highlighted similar moratoriums enacted in other Maryland counties.
The Calvert County Environmental Commission has urged the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to halt all data center development until further studies can be completed. In a letter submitted in April and reiterated in a memo on May 28 for a June 2 meeting, the commission outlined four major environmental concerns specific to data center proliferation within the county.
Cristin Fuller, vice chair of the Environmental Commission, stated that as scientists, the commission members believe neither they nor the BOCC possess sufficient information to make informed decisions regarding data centers in Calvert County's unique ecosystem. The commission also referenced actions taken by other Maryland counties, including Baltimore, Prince George's, Baltimore City, and Frederick, which have implemented pauses or moratoriums to assess the long-term risks and environmental impacts of data centers.
The commission emphasized that a "prudent and measured approach" is necessary to prioritize informed decision-making over expedited approvals. This request highlights ongoing concerns about the environmental footprint and potential unknown impacts of data center growth in the region.