Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen proposes a one-year pause on new data centers in the city

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen has introduced a proposal for a one-year moratorium on new data center developments within the city. The initiative stems from growing concerns among council members that the proliferation of data centers is contributing to increased energy bills for residents. Cohen emphasized that the proposed pause would allow city leaders to thoroughly study data center technology, understand its long-term effects on costs, and assess its broader community and environmental impacts. He specifically highlighted the strain data centers place on the power grid, suggesting that residents are currently subsidizing these costs. Further concerns include potential environmental pollution and high water consumption associated with data center operations. City leaders aim to ensure that data center companies, rather than taxpayers, bear the financial burden of their energy demands on the local utility infrastructure.