Calvert Environmental Commission Recommended Environmental Studies Before BOCC Moratorium Vote

Calvert County's Environmental Commission had recommended an immediate pause on data center permitting to allow for comprehensive environmental studies, a recommendation made on April 2, before the Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) April 8 vote on a data center moratorium, which is now considered "off the table." Jason Brinkley, Director of Planning and Zoning, confirmed the BOCC received these recommendations. During a special joint meeting, Planning Commission member David Bury questioned the BOCC's position that environmental reviews couldn't proceed without a formal site plan. Dr. Janette Wysocki of the Environmental Commission countered that the Amazon Web Services (AWS) proposed site already had sufficient detail for an environmental impact study, emphasizing its location in a critical wetland ecosystem that serves as headwaters for St. Leonards Creek. She stressed that site visits to other data centers would not provide relevant information for Calvert County's unique environment. The Planning Commission subsequently proposed several actions, including requesting a formal timeline for environmental studies from the Environmental Commission, implementing text amendments for water and noise restrictions, addressing construction damage, and requiring decommissioning plans for all future data center proposals.