Calvert County commissioners pass 6-month data center moratorium
Calvert County commissioners unanimously passed a six-month moratorium on new data center applications, following months of community opposition and Amazon's withdrawal from plans to build three data centers. Residents expressed concerns about power, water, and noise impacts, advocating for a longer pause.
Calvert County commissioners have unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications. The decision was made after a standing-room-only hearing where residents and business owners voiced concerns for hours, with many advocating for a two-year pause rather than six months.
The temporary ban comes shortly after Amazon abandoned plans to construct three data centers near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant, a move that followed significant community opposition. Residents have raised concerns about the potential strain on power and water resources, as well as noise pollution, arguing that the focus should not solely be on economic benefits. Commissioner Graasso highlighted the potential for $400 million in annual revenue for Calvert County if Amazon's $22 billion project had proceeded, but acknowledged the need to assess whether such projects benefit the county.
The community's organized efforts, including signing petitions and grassroots organizing, were credited with influencing the county council and securing the moratorium. This action makes Calvert the latest Maryland county, joining Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's, to enact a data center moratorium. The initiative was sparked when residents discovered Amazon's data center plans through a job posting for a construction manager in the small town of Lusby, leading them to rally against the developments.