Residents rally against data centers in Prince George's County | NBC4 Washington
Residents of Prince George's County, Maryland, rallied in Largo to demand a permanent ban on AI data center development after the county's previous moratorium expired. County Council Chair Crystal Florida has introduced legislation for a two-year moratorium, with a vote expected next week. Opponents cite environmental concerns, water usage, and the limited local job creation from data centers, having gathered 26,000 names on a petition.
Residents of Prince George's County, Maryland, gathered in Largo for a rally demanding a permanent ban on AI data center development. The demonstration occurred after the county's previous moratorium on such developments expired. News 4's Jackie Bensen reported from the event, held in front of the Prince George's County Administration building.
Organized by a group advocating for a permanent ban, the rally highlighted concerns over data centers' use of natural resources like water, their environmental impact, and the perceived lack of permanent, specialized jobs for the local populace. A spokesperson noted that most data center jobs are temporary construction roles, with only 50-100 permanent positions often filled by travelers rather than local residents. Organizers have collected 26,000 signatures on a petition opposing a proposed hyperscale data center on the former Landover Mall site.
Prince George's County Council Chair Crystal Florida has introduced legislation for a new two-year moratorium, aiming for a vote next Tuesday. While personally favoring a full ban, Florida acknowledged differing perspectives within both the council and the community. The rally also saw a counter-protest group, wearing identical orange t-shirts, expressing support for data centers, citing discussions about their potential benefits alongside known negatives.