Maryland County Defeats Amazon Data Center Project; Other Counties Enact Moratoriums
Calvert County, Maryland, successfully halted an Amazon data center project in Lusby following strong local opposition and the defeat of incumbent officials who had resisted moratoriums. This event is part of a wider trend in Maryland, where numerous counties are enacting or considering temporary moratoriums on data center development.
Calvert County, Maryland, became the site of a significant victory for local opposition when Amazon withdrew its plans for a data center in the town of Lusby. The project came to light after residents discovered a job posting for a construction manager, leading to public outcry when it was revealed county officials were aware of Amazon's interest but had not disclosed it.
The public backlash culminated in the Republican primary, where three incumbent commission members, who had consistently opposed moratoriums on data center development, lost their re-election bids. Shortly after these political shifts, Amazon announced its decision to pull the plug on the Lusby data center on August 4. This incident highlights a broader trend across Maryland, where local governments are grappling with increasing opposition to data center expansion, with 13 counties having already enacted temporary moratoriums and more considering similar pauses.