Data center moratorium to be extended in Calvert

Calvert County commissioners are considering extending a six-month moratorium on data center development, initially approved on August 18, to a period of up to two years. During a recent meeting, the board reached a consensus to direct planning and zoning staff to take steps to extend the moratorium, remove data centers as a permitted use in the zoning ordinance, and rezone heavy industrial properties.

Commissioner Catherine M. Grasso (R) emphasized the board's understanding of public sentiment, advocating for these actions to be voted on by the next board of commissioners on December 15. Commissioner Mike Hart (R) supported the decisions, noting the need to develop the county's own environmental code. Commissioner Earl F. “Buddy” Hance (R) agreed with the moratorium extension but expressed reservations about rezoning heavy industrial properties, citing potential impacts on the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.

Jason Brinkley, the county’s planning and zoning director, highlighted the complexity of the rezoning process, which would require amending Calvert’s comprehensive plan. Public comment included former commissioner candidate Patrick Flaherty's point that a public hearing would be required before an extension vote, and Ashburn, Va., resident Tom Peter, founder of SET Energy, supported a two-year moratorium.

Planners indicated that an extended moratorium would provide additional time to study environmental impacts, assess water and electrical infrastructure, evaluate potential locations, and develop decommissioning requirements for data centers.