Data Center moratorium extended in Baltimore County
The Baltimore County Council unanimously voted to extend a moratorium on data center construction until at least the end of 2027. This decision was made before council members could fully review a detailed study they had requested on data centers. The extension was supported by council members who cited resident opposition and ongoing concerns about environmental impact, energy costs, and water system pollution.
The Baltimore County Council unanimously voted to extend a moratorium on data center construction through the end of 2027, preventing new developments in the county. This decision was made despite the council not having fully reviewed a detailed study on data centers that they had commissioned earlier in the year.
Council members Izzy Patoka, Todd Crandell, and Pat Young expressed that residents have not indicated a desire to lift the moratorium, and that the data center industry has not adequately addressed concerns regarding environmental impact, energy costs, and water system pollution. Councilman Young criticized the vote as premature, noting that the planning board's report had only recently been received.
Maryland Del. Sheila Ruth, who represents Woodlawn, also voiced support for limiting data center size to mitigate their impact on the power grid, water systems, and noise. Public hearings earlier in the month revealed widespread opposition to large data centers within the county.