Anne Arundel County Legislator Proposes Data Center Ban Amid National Security Concerns
Anne Arundel County Councilman Nathan Volke has proposed a bill to ban new data centers by removing them from the county's zoning code. The initiative aims to protect aging energy infrastructure and utility ratepayers, though it faces concerns about its impact on national security operations at Fort George G. Meade. A public hearing for the bill is scheduled for September 21st.
Anne Arundel County Councilman Nathan Volke has introduced a bill seeking to ban new data centers within the county, home to the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command at Fort George G. Meade. The proposed legislation, scheduled for a public hearing on September 21, would amend the county's zoning code to preclude data center construction, driven by concerns over the facilities' energy consumption and potential strain on the local power grid.
Volke, a Republican, emphasized the need to "pump the brakes" on data center development, citing potential environmental impacts and higher utility bills for ratepayers. However, Councilwoman Allison Pickard, a Democrat, questioned the ban's effectiveness, highlighting the county's unique reliance on Fort Meade, which views data centers as critical for national security. The proposed ban would not apply to federal facilities but could impact defense contractors supporting the base.
Similar measures have been taken in other Maryland counties, with Harford County enacting a ban and Baltimore, Howard, Prince George's, and Calvert counties implementing moratoriums. Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel advocate David Lapp supports slowing growth to alleviate pressure on the electric grid, managed by PJM Interconnection, which forecasts higher energy costs for the region due to data center expansion.
Critics, including Tim O’Ferrall of the Fort Meade Alliance, warn that a ban could harm the county's cybersecurity industry and drive jobs away. The article also mentions specific data center developments, including the Sandy Farms Data Center in Severn, which is being developed by Oppidan and was recently acquired by GI Partners, with Amazon reportedly occupying a portion of the existing structure.