The fate of Prince George’s County data centers may hinge on Election Day
Prince George's County's moratorium on data center development is set to expire, with the future of such projects heavily influenced by the upcoming primary election. Candidates and community members are divided on data centers, raising concerns about environmental impacts, high energy and water consumption, and the economic benefits versus drawbacks. A task force has recommended zoning changes and greater community involvement in any future development decisions.
The future of data center development in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is uncertain as the county’s pause on new projects is scheduled to expire at the end of the month. The outcome of next week's primary election is expected to significantly influence long-term policy, with most council and executive candidates expressing skepticism about massive data centers due to environmental and community concerns, although some remain open to the idea under specific conditions.
Council member Jolene Ivey, who previously supported tax exemptions for data centers, now expresses skepticism and hopes to repeal these incentives, emphasizing the need for community input and caution. Other candidates, such as at-large contender Sydney Harrison, maintain a cautious stance, while educator Laura Gilchrest advocates for a permanent moratorium, citing strong resident opposition. Former state Rep. Victor Ramirez argues that the negatives of large data centers, including significant water and electricity usage, outweigh potential short-term job creation and revenue.
A Qualified Data Center Task Force, established in spring 2025, studied the risks and benefits of data centers, recommending zoning law changes to prevent construction in residential areas and prioritizing environmental protection and community feedback. These recommendations followed widespread community outrage and a petition signed by nearly 24,000 people against a proposed hyperscale data center in Landover. The opposition directly contributed to the initial moratorium enacted last September, which was recently extended through June 30 to allow the council more time to review the task force's report and legislate.
Despite issuing the moratorium, incumbent County Executive Aisha Braveboy expressed openness to data center development, provided it is planned responsibly and in partnership with communities, avoiding residential areas. Many candidates suggest alternative economic development strategies for the county, such as investing in healthcare or attracting businesses that do not carry the environmental and community concerns associated with data centers.