General Assembly candidates see a common enemy on rising energy prices: data centers
Maryland General Assembly candidates across parties are blaming data centers for rising residential energy prices and advocating for stricter regulations. Governor Wes Moore signed the Utility RELIEF Act, which includes provisions to modernize the state's energy grid, lower bills, and impose "guardrails" on data centers, making them pay for infrastructure improvements. Some candidates are also calling for a two-year moratorium on data center construction in the state.
Candidates for the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate across both parties are voicing strong, bipartisan support for regulating data center development, which they identify as a key driver of rising residential energy prices ahead of the June 23 primaries. A survey by the Local News Network at the University of Maryland for the Capital News Service voter guide revealed this widespread sentiment, with candidates like Yonelle Moore Lee (D-Charles County) and Dianna Palmer (R-Washington County) highlighting the significant financial strain on families due to a 44% increase in energy rates since 2020.
Governor Wes Moore recently signed the Utility RELIEF Act, a legislative package designed to modernize Maryland's energy grid, reduce resident energy bills by at least $150 annually, and implement "guardrails" on data centers. State Senator Sara Love (D-Montgomery County), a proponent of the bill, emphasized that it requires data center owners to fund necessary energy infrastructure upgrades. This legislative action comes as Maryland's electricity costs, averaging 19.65 cents per kilowatt hour in 2025, rank 13th nationally, with the PJM Interconnection identifying data centers as the primary cause of increased grid load and prices.
Further exacerbating concerns, some candidates like Eric Immler (D-Southern Maryland) criticize data centers for creating minimal local jobs while siphoning wealth. John D. Leonard (D-Washington and Frederick counties) has advocated for a two-year moratorium on data center construction, similar to one in Maine, citing potential instability if the "AI bubble bursts." Other candidates, including Del. April Rose (R-Carroll and Frederick counties), stress the need for Maryland to boost in-state energy generation, including natural gas and nuclear power, to reduce reliance on imports and ensure grid reliability, rather than solely depending on renewable sources.
The debate underscores a broader push among lawmakers, such as Steven Messmer (D-Baltimore City), to balance clean energy goals with pragmatic solutions for energy independence, as Maryland historically imports about 40% of its annual energy.