Baltimore bill would pause data center construction

Baltimore City Councilmembers are considering a bill that proposes a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers within the city. This temporary halt would apply to new data centers drawing 10 megawatts or more of power. The purpose of the pause is to allow the city to thoroughly study the impacts of data center development and update its zoning code to properly address this evolving technology. During public testimony, various viewpoints were expressed. STEAMFITTERS Union officials supported the study but suggested it could be completed faster, highlighting the 100 to 150 good jobs data centers can provide. They also addressed water usage concerns, explaining that modern closed-loop systems and air-cooled chillers significantly reduce water consumption compared to older designs. Conversely, some speakers advocated for an outright ban on data centers, while others argued that the proposed 10-megawatt threshold was too high to be effective. Council Member Felicia Porter questioned the bill's exemptions and the inclusion of academic institutions, citing concerns about robust protection for residents. The discussion also touched on existing facilities, with specific mention of a $9 million state-funded expansion of a decade-old data center at Bayview and academic buildings at the Homewood campus of Johns Hopkins. Johns Hopkins stated that its academic buildings are not data centers, but acknowledged the Bayview facility as a data center supporting research needs since 2015, which they aim to expand to meet current and future capacity. Council members noted that the Bayview expansion would fall under the proposed bill's 10-megawatt limit. The debate reflects a broader effort to balance technological advancement and economic development with environmental and community concerns.