Washington County Commission extends data center moratorium to one year
Washington County, Maryland commissioners voted to extend a proposed six-month moratorium on new data center applications to 12 months. This decision followed a public hearing where residents expressed concerns about water supplies, electric infrastructure, and environmental impacts. The extended pause allows county officials more time to study the industry and develop appropriate regulations.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Washington County Commission voted 4-1 to enact a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications, extending a previously proposed six-month pause. The decision followed a public hearing on July 2, 2026, where residents voiced significant concerns regarding the impact of data centers on local water supplies, electric infrastructure, and the environment. County Attorney Zachary Kieffer indicated that current county laws and zoning regulations do not adequately address data center development.
Several residents, including Dave Williams of Smithsburg and geologist Kathleen Thompson, urged a longer study period. Thompson highlighted the vulnerability of the county's groundwater resources, which rely on rainfall and snowmelt for replenishment, and raised concerns about industrial-scale water use and potential contamination from cooling systems. Commissioners Randy Wagner and Randal Leatherman supported the extension, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation of infrastructure capacity and ensuring data centers bear the costs of necessary upgrades. Leatherman also expressed concerns about potential increases in utility costs for residents.
Commission President John F. Barr also supported a longer review. Commissioner Neil Parrott cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that the moratorium could deter business investment and send a negative message to potential employers. Parrott pointed to Loudoun County, Virginia, as an example of a region that has benefited from data center tax revenues. County officials stressed that any future zoning changes would undergo additional public hearings, and the moratorium provides essential time to define data centers formally and develop appropriate permanent regulations.