Harford County approves Maryland's first data center ban
The Harford County Council in Maryland unanimously approved an emergency ordinance to permanently ban data center construction, becoming the first local government in the state to do so. This decision followed a proposal to build a data center on the Mountain Ranch Golf Course. The Maryland Tech Council opposes the ban, citing potential constitutional issues and litigation risks.
The Harford County Council in Maryland unanimously passed emergency legislation, enacting a permanent ban on data center construction throughout the county. This makes Harford County the first local government in Maryland to implement an outright ban, rather than a temporary moratorium, on such developments. The decision was prompted by a previously reported plan to construct a data center on the Mountain Ranch Golf Course.
The Maryland Tech Council strongly opposes the ban, arguing that "attempting to ban an entire industry raises Constitutional questions and exposes the county to potential litigation." The council urged Harford County to seek a legal opinion from the Maryland Attorney General's Office to clarify the bill's legal merit and potentially protect taxpayers from future legal costs. WBAL-TV 11 News learned that the Maryland Attorney General's Office is now investigating the matter.