Maryland Governor Moore Shifts Stance on Data Centers to Favor Local Control, Baltimore County Seeks Moratorium Extension
Maryland Governor Wes Moore is shifting his stance on data centers, now emphasizing local control and asserting the industry should not override local opinion. Concurrently, Baltimore County lawmakers are seeking to extend the county's moratorium on data center development for another year, awaiting a finalized report from the Planning Board on regulation.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has adopted an evolving stance on the state's data center expansion, now advocating for local control and asserting that data centers should not override local opinion. This shift comes after his administration previously helped clear regulatory hurdles for the industry and sought to block a state study into its potential impacts. Moore stated during a recent podcast appearance, "Data centers do not get to write the rules. They do not get to override local opinion. We have to make sure that the power belongs to the people."
Separately, Baltimore County lawmakers are proposing to extend the county's moratorium on data center development for an additional year. This move precedes the finalization of a report by the Planning Board, which is intended to guide future regulations for data center facilities within the county.