Howard County Approves Temporary Ban on New Data Centers
Howard County Council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new data center construction and applications. The measure awaits County Executive Calvin Ball's signature to become law. The ban aims to allow officials to study potential impacts and develop updated zoning regulations.
The Howard County Council has unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new data center construction and applications. The legislation now moves to County Executive Calvin Ball for his signature, which is expected to pass.
The moratorium will prevent any new data center construction in the county and halt the submission of new applications to the Planning and Zoning Department. Vice Chair Kashar Rigby initiated the measure to modernize data center regulations and better understand their impact on local properties. This ban is not retroactive and will not affect the existing data center or another currently under construction in Laurel.
To study the impacts and develop future regulations, a task force will be created. This group will consist of experts in fields such as water resource management, economic development, and data center development, with members nominated by both the county council and the county executive. The temporary ban is set to expire by November 2nd, 2027.