Scenic Maryland county in middle of a data center fight

Calvert County, Maryland, has become the latest battleground in the nationwide debate over data center proliferation, with residents fiercely opposing two proposed developments by Amazon and Natelli Holdings. The controversy centers on plans for an Amazon Web Services campus on 2,000 acres near a nuclear plant and a Natelli Holdings data center on 133 acres of land originally designated for a public park. Commissioner Mike Hart proposed a two-year moratorium to allow officials time to study potential impacts, including noise and strain on local resources. Hart, along with Commissioner Catherine Grasso, emphasized the need for careful consideration over the promise of increased tax revenue. However, other commissioners, including Earl 'Buddy' Hance, argued against the moratorium, stating that a study was premature without formal project plans. Residents voiced strong concerns over transparency, with many questioning the county's confidentiality agreements with developers and the perceived secrecy surrounding the projects. The intense public outcry culminated in a boisterous community meeting hosted by Natelli Holdings, where protesters voiced their opposition. Despite the opposition, the Calvert County commissioners defeated the proposed moratorium in a 3-2 vote, prompting residents to pledge to vote out the commissioners who opposed the pause.