Harford County bans data center development after unanimous vote
The Harford County Council in Maryland unanimously voted to ban data center development, making it the first jurisdiction in the state to do so. County Executive Bob Cassilly signed Bill 26-011, citing concerns over quality of life, electricity demands, water usage, and noise. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from residents and criticism from the Maryland Tech Council.
Harford County, Maryland, has become the first jurisdiction in the state to ban data center development after the County Council unanimously passed Bill 26-011, which was subsequently signed by County Executive Bob Cassilly. The legislation follows over a month of debate and a public hearing, sparked by Cassilly's concerns after learning that the Mountain Branch Golf Course was being considered for data center development.
Cassilly fast-tracked the bill, citing potential impacts on the county's quality of life, as well as significant concerns about Maryland's electricity supply, water availability, and noise for neighbors. He emphasized the state's existing reliance on out-of-state energy during peak hours, questioning the feasibility of powering new data centers. Residents expressed mixed reactions, with Darlene Kane, living near the golf course, expressing relief over the ban due to property value and noise concerns. In contrast, Stephen Monti believed data centers are an inevitable future development.
The Maryland Tech Council criticized the county's decision, suggesting it could lead to legal challenges. However, County Executive Cassilly defended the ban, stating confidence that the county had made the right decision for its citizens and future generations.