Governor signs executive order on data centers, establishes task force
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order to establish statewide guardrails for data center development, focusing on ratepayer and grid protection, economic benefits, community voice, environmental protections, and transparency. The order also creates the Maryland Data Center Task Force to review large data center projects exceeding 25 megawatts and maintain a public dashboard. This action comes amidst ongoing discussions and actions at the county level, including Baltimore County extending its data center moratorium and Harford County's permanent ban.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order on Wednesday to implement statewide guardrails for "transparent and accountable data center development" across the state. The order establishes five core principles: ratepayer and grid protection, economic benefits for Marylanders, community involvement, environmental safeguards, and transparency. It also creates the Maryland Data Center Task Force, comprising members from various state departments, which will review large data center projects exceeding 25 megawatts when they seek state permits or incentives. Projects will be classified as "aligned," "conditionally aligned," or "not aligned" with the state's new guidelines.
Governor Moore emphasized that Maryland families should not bear the financial burden of utility strains caused by large corporations, stating that data centers must "pay their own way." The executive order also aims to counter federal rollbacks of safeguards and ensures utility ratepayers and the environment are protected. Additionally, the Governor's Office plans to seek the repeal of a 2020 tax exemption that benefited certain data centers by exempting them from sales and use tax, contingent on creating five new jobs.
This state-level action comes as local jurisdictions in Maryland are also actively addressing data center development. Baltimore County recently voted to extend its data center moratorium through December 2027, and Harford County has already enacted a permanent ban on data centers. The Baltimore City Planning Commission also discussed a bill last month proposing new rules for data centers within the city. The Governor's Office announced a new public dashboard will track new projects, their developers, projected power and water demands, and state action status. The executive order's announcement elicited reactions from political challengers, with Republican Dan Cox reiterating his call for a statewide ban and Green Party candidate Andy Ellis criticizing the order as insufficient and merely "lip-service," advocating for a full ban instead of a task force or moratorium.