Fitzwater’s data center freeze cites no specific law. Quantum is suing.
Quantum Maryland LLC sued Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County and the Frederick County Planning Commission over executive orders freezing data center applications. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the latest order, reopen Quantum’s permitting process and recover at least $500 million in damages, while questioning whether the county executive had legal authority to suspend a County Council-approved data center overlay.
Quantum Maryland LLC sued Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County and the Frederick County Planning Commission in Frederick County Circuit Court after Fitzwater issued two executive orders freezing applications for data centers and related electric substations. The developer is seeking to void Executive Order 05-2026, resume its permitting process for a campus outside Adamstown and obtain at least $500 million in damages.
Quantum argues that the orders improperly suspend a law enacted by the Frederick County Council and that neither order identifies a specific charter or state-law provision authorizing the freeze. The complaint also alleges that Fitzwater acted with improper political motives, which could expose her personally to damages. Fitzwater disputes the allegations and says she is using her authority to protect the community; the county has declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The freeze cites a state-directed study of the environmental, energy and economic impacts of data center development, even though the order acknowledges that Maryland regulates air quality, energy generation and electricity use. Quantum filed emergency motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, but no hearing date had been set as of October 10.