Opposition to AI Data Centers Grows Nationally; Baltimore Enacts Moratorium

The Baltimore City Council has declared a moratorium on the construction of data centers powering artificial intelligence, becoming one of more than 60 local governments across the United States to take such a step. This move reflects a spreading national concern among local officials regarding the impact of these facilities. Separately, the Maine legislature passed a bill to implement a statewide moratorium, but Democratic Governor Janet Mills subsequently vetoed the legislation. Although the legislature's attempt to override the veto failed, Governor Mills established a commission to study the issue, a component originally included in the bill. Thomas Meyer, Strategic Organizing Projects Director for Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action, highlighted the increasing opposition. His organization was the first national group to call for a data center moratorium last October, a call now echoed by over 250 other organizations. Meyer emphasized the significant resource demands of AI data centers, noting their enormous consumption of energy and water, potential for noise and air pollution, and limited job creation, while also suggesting that more sustainable cooling and energy systems exist.