Data center developments put on hold in Howard County
Howard County Council unanimously passed the S.M.A.R.T. Act, temporarily halting new data center developments and establishing a task force. The moratorium aims to update outdated zoning regulations and ensure responsible growth in the county.
The Howard County Council has unanimously passed the Strategic Moratorium for Assessing Responsible Technology Siting Act (S.M.A.R.T. Act), effectively pausing new data center development in the county. This legislation, approved on June 1, also establishes a task force comprising up to 11 appointees from the county council and county executive, with members possessing expertise in utilities, environmental science, and data center operations.
The moratorium is slated to last until November 2027, or potentially end sooner if the task force issues recommendations for updated zoning regulations that are subsequently approved by the county council. Council members highlighted the bill's intent to implement 'guardrails' and 'smart-growth' regulations for data center development, noting that the county's current regulations have not been updated since 1993.
Council Vice Chair Christiana Rigby (Dist. 3), whose district includes North Laurel, emphasized the need for thoughtful and respectful growth of data centers, considering both residents, businesses, and the environment. The initiative seeks to ensure that the expansion of data centers aligns with community well-being and environmental sustainability.