Elrich Orders Six-Month Pause on New Data Center Permits
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has issued an executive order imposing a six-month moratorium on new data center permit applications. This pause allows the County Council to develop permanent zoning legislation to address concerns about energy consumption, water use, noise, and other environmental impacts. The moratorium affects all proposed projects, including one planned for Dickerson.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has issued an executive order implementing an immediate six-month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of new data center permit applications. The order, signed Friday, directs the Department of Permitting Services to halt such applications to allow the County Council to develop permanent legislation governing data center development.
The temporary pause targets concerns about the environmental and community impacts of data centers, specifically citing energy consumption, water use, and noise. All proposed projects are affected, including a planned data center at the decommissioned power plant site in Dickerson. County leaders, including Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe and Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristin Mink, have expressed support for the moratorium as the county considers new standards for infrastructure demands, environmental protections, and community safeguards. The moratorium could be lifted earlier if the County Council adopts new zoning regulations.