New data centers in Maryland to get additional scrutiny under governor’s order -
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has established a new state task force to scrutinize data center proposals, focusing on environmental protection, electricity ratepayer impact, and community support. He also plans to advocate for the repeal of a state tax exemption for data centers. Local governments will retain final decision-making authority on these projects.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has established a new state task force to meticulously evaluate proposed data center projects across the state. The task force, created by an executive order signed in Annapolis, will assess proposals based on their impact on electricity ratepayers, environmental protections, and community support. Governor Moore emphasized that the state would not override local governments' decisions, stating, "Our administration will always stand with the people, and the state will not go around a local community’s ‘no.’"
Furthermore, Moore announced his intention to advocate for the repeal of a state tax exemption for data centers, which was enacted in 2020, during the upcoming legislative session in January. The seven-agency task force will classify projects as "aligned, conditionally aligned, or not aligned" with state principles, requiring companies seeking state assistance to make specific, measurable, and public commitments. To enhance transparency, the governor also launched a public online dashboard, to be updated monthly, detailing data center proposals and their specifications.