County hits pause on data centers

Worcester County officials in Maryland have enacted a 12-month moratorium on all new data center and cable landing station projects, effectively halting a proposed Globalinx project in the West Ocean City district. The county commissioners voted 6-0 to pass the resolution, citing the need for time to study the potential effects of such facilities.

Commissioner Eric Fiori, who introduced the motion, emphasized the necessity for county experts and staff to address the "new challenge" posed by these developments. The moratorium immediately blocks new permit applications and approvals and suspends all related proceedings before the county Board of Zoning Appeals, as current zoning rules do not specifically cover these facilities.

The frozen Globalinx project, intended to be a 25,000-square-foot cable landing station on Route 611 to serve Amazon Web Services, had faced opposition from nearby residents over its size, utility demands, and proximity to homes. Globalinx, through attorney Demetrios Kaouris, expressed disappointment but stated confidence that a county study would ultimately find such stations compatible. The company also indicated it would "consider and evaluate all its options."

County officials aim to use the pause to examine energy demands, water and wastewater usage, environmental impacts, and visual effects, as well as to determine appropriate locations and necessary regulations for future projects. This action follows similar moves by other Maryland counties, including Frederick County, which recently enacted its own six-month moratorium.