Calvert board gives nod for moratorium draft ordinance

Calvert County Commissioners have instructed local government staff to draft an ordinance for a six-month moratorium on data center projects, with a public hearing scheduled for August 18. This action follows a request from Commissioner Mike Hart (R), who had previously called for a two-year moratorium after Amazon Web Services revealed plans for data center campuses adjacent to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. While the board did not hold a formal vote, the directive indicates strong consideration for a temporary pause.

Jason Brinkley, the county planning and zoning director, informed the board that Amazon Web Services' site plan application did not meet basic stormwater management requirements, delaying its full review by the public works department. Brinkley noted that the review process would likely involve multiple rounds before moving to a detailed plan, suggesting the moratorium would align with the current timeline.

During public comments, residents expressed gratitude for the board's action but also criticized the delay and the proposed six-month duration as insufficient, citing potential health and environmental impacts. Michael Block, a St. Leonard resident, advocated for a longer moratorium of at least a year. Cat Decker, representing the Garden Way community of Lusby, voiced urgency, claiming that infrastructure for the "massive industrial complex" is already being deployed at the Calvert Cliffs site despite ongoing paperwork, urging commissioners to "shut the loophole down." Commissioner Hart concurred with Decker's observations. The status of another proposed data center project by Nateli Holdings near Route 2/4 and Cove Point Road remains unclear, with no recent communication from the company.