Most Maryland residents don’t want new data centers, UMBC poll finds
A University of Maryland, Baltimore County poll found that more than three-quarters of Maryland voters oppose new data centers in the state or near their communities. The findings come as Gov. Wes Moore proposes standards and a task force to study data center impacts, while Republican candidate Dan Cox advocates a moratorium on hyperscale facilities.
A poll by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Institute of Politics found that 13% of likely Maryland voters support new data centers in the state, while 16% support facilities near their communities. Opposition crossed party, geographic, age, gender, education and income groups. Residents cited concerns about noise, visual impacts, electric-grid strain and environmental effects.
The survey comes as data centers become a major issue in Maryland’s gubernatorial race. Gov. Wes Moore has proposed standards for reviewing new facilities and a task force to examine their impacts, but has not called for a ban or pause. Republican challenger Dan Cox supports a moratorium on the largest facilities, while Green Party candidate Andy Ellis is calling for a ban and Working Class Party candidate Cathy White’s campaign expressed skepticism about whether technology benefits would be shared equitably.