Baltimore considers data center freeze as residents face surging BGE bills

On Monday, Baltimore City Council members introduced legislation proposing a one-year moratorium on data center development within the city. Council President Zeke Cohen, a sponsor of the bill, stated its purpose is to combat the escalating cost of living for Baltimore residents and address environmental justice issues, particularly the concentration of related infrastructure in historically underserved neighborhoods. Cohen highlighted a recent halting of a BGE transmission project as a factor in rising utility costs, noting residents' struggles with high bills. This proposed broad moratorium is distinct from a separate bill introduced by Councilman Zac Blanchard, which seeks to prohibit data centers in tax increment financing districts. Both pieces of legislation are currently pending before the council. Additionally, Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, co-sponsoring with Blanchard, has called for an informational hearing involving five city agencies—Planning, Law, Finance, Health, and Public Works—to thoroughly examine the economic benefits and potential risks of data centers, including their impact on neighborhoods, public health, infrastructure, and energy demand. These legislative efforts follow a City Council hearing where residents expressed significant financial strain due to utility costs. Councilman Cohen emphasized the need for increased oversight of data centers and supporting infrastructure, with a hope to collaborate with state government partners on regulation during the proposed moratorium period.