Maryland voters see higher electric bills, other downsides from data centers in new UMBC poll
A UMBC poll found that Maryland voters broadly oppose new data centers and expect them to increase household electricity costs. Respondents also expressed concerns about data centers' effects on nearby quality of life, water quality, air quality and the state economy.
A University of Maryland Baltimore County poll found widespread concern among Maryland likely voters about new data center development. Eighty percent said data centers would have a mostly negative effect on household electricity costs, while 78% opposed building new facilities in Maryland and 77% opposed a facility near their community.
Voters also anticipated negative effects on quality of life, water quality, air quality, the economy and tax revenue. The poll surveyed 776 likely voters from Sept. 22 through Sept. 27 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The article also reported broader views of Maryland's economy, state direction and Gov. Wes Moore's job performance.