Six-month moratorium on data centers approved in Calvert

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to enact a six-month moratorium on data center projects, responding to widespread public opposition. The decision, made after hearing comments from over 30 speakers, prohibits the county from accepting new site plan applications during this period.

Commissioner Mark C. Cox Sr. made the motion to approve the moratorium. Additionally, Commissioner Catherine M. Grasso requested that staff initiate the process to revoke prior zoning changes that allowed data centers in heavy industrial segments, specifically aiming to return land in Lusby from industrial to forest and farm district status. Commissioner Mike Hart, who previously proposed a two-year moratorium, suggested expanding the scope beyond data centers to include other industries that could threaten Calvert's environment.

Citizens, including Dani Pak of Dunkirk and Sandra Gwynn of the Sierra Club, voiced strong opposition, calling for a permanent ban and expressing distrust over past closed-door discussions. Nell Fuller from the Calvert County Environmental Commission urged officials to conduct scientific studies on potential adverse environmental impacts, including water usage, noise, and effects on schools, suggesting a ban if science doesn't support data centers. Planning and Zoning Director Jason Brinkley noted that extending the moratorium or revising zoning would require lengthy public hearing processes and amendments to the county's comprehensive plan.

Two specific data center projects were mentioned: one by Amazon Web Services near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, which was recently withdrawn, and another $3 billion project proposed by Natelli Holdings, also in Lusby, on land previously given to the county by Dominion Energy.