Maryland must take a smarter path on data centers | GUEST COMMENTARY

The article is a guest commentary advocating for Maryland to adopt a "Community Partnership Model" for data center development, contrasting it with the negative experiences of communities like Loudoun County, Virginia. Author Todd Larsen, executive co-director of Green America, warns that Virginia residents face issues such as soaring electricity rates, noise and air pollution from diesel generators, and an overwhelmed electric grid due to unchecked data center growth. Larsen notes that Maryland leaders are considering data centers for revenue despite community opposition over potential increases in utility bills, pollution, and infrastructure strain. He highlights the recently passed Utility RELIEF Act, which the governor is expected to sign, as a step towards protecting the grid and ratepayers through provisions like a large load registry program and requirements for data centers to cover transmission and capacity costs. However, he criticizes the delayed implementation of incentives for clean energy. The proposed Community Partnership Model would require data centers to develop their own renewable energy sources, such as solar and energy storage, rather than relying solely on the grid. This model also includes paying nearby Maryland residents to host home battery systems, offering them free installations and annual payments for participating in a Virtual Power Plant network. Larsen claims this approach would prevent rate increases for Maryland families, provide significant cost savings for data center developers over two decades, and generate substantial tax revenues and local jobs. Larsen emphasizes that this model aligns interests of various groups—climate advocates, labor unions, government, data centers, and communities—by ensuring 95% renewable energy, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and fostering community wealth. He urges state and county officials, who are currently evaluating data center proposals and demanding greater disclosures, proper siting, and environmental protections, to mandate the Community Partnership approach for all new data center projects.