Close to home or across the state, Marylanders don’t want data centers, poll finds
A UMBC poll found that 78% of likely Maryland voters oppose building new data centers anywhere in the state, while 77% oppose projects near their communities. Respondents cited concerns about higher electricity and household costs, as Gov. Wes Moore considers proposals to study data center impacts and some counties have paused development.
A University of Maryland, Baltimore County Institute of Politics poll found broad opposition to new data center construction in Maryland. Among 776 likely voters surveyed, 78% opposed new facilities anywhere in the state and 77% opposed facilities near their communities. Opposition remained high across party affiliations, income levels and ZIP codes, with many respondents concerned that data centers could increase electricity and other household costs.
UMBC Institute of Politics director Mileah Kromer said the results did not reflect a simple "not in my backyard" response because opposition was nearly identical for projects located elsewhere in Maryland and near respondents' homes. Gov. Wes Moore, who had previously promoted data centers as an economic opportunity, has proposed creating a task force to examine their impacts but has not called for a statewide development pause. Prince George's and Montgomery counties have separately paused data center development.