Maryland

Data center activity in Maryland

Regulatory Environment

-4 pts

Maryland's environment reflects at least 172 enacted moratoriums against 14 rejected and a zoning record that leans against projects, with nine denials versus six approvals. Opposition has blocked at least 20 projects while eight advanced despite objections. The state has slipped over the past quarter. At least 62 companies are active, but Maryland remains much more restrictive than neighboring Virginia and West Virginia.

How is this scored?

Regulatory Environment Score

-4 pts

How is this scored?

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·Lusby, Calvert County, MD

Calvert County Begins Review to Reverse Industrial Zoning on 1,352 Lusby Acres

Calvert County has begun a required 60-day review to reverse heavy-industrial I-2 zoning on 1,352 acres in Lusby near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Residents support restoring forest and agricultural buffers, while Constellation Energy says the change could limit future energy projects; the proposal will eventually go to the county commissioners for a final vote.

zoning opposition government environmental

Amazon

10/24/2026

News ClipThe Frederick News-Post·Frederick County, MD

Lewis Young to host data center presentation$

Maryland State Sen. Karen Lewis Young will host a presentation at Hood College in Frederick on legislative recommendations from a data center workgroup she formed. The event will discuss potential policy responses to data center development in Maryland.

announcement government

10/23/2026

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·Prince Frederick, Calvert County, MD

Calvert Moves to Ban Data Centers in Every Zoning District - -

The Calvert County Planning Commission advanced a proposal to prohibit data centers in every zoning district to a public hearing. The proposed permanent ban follows a six-month moratorium, Amazon's withdrawal of plans for three data centers near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and organized resident opposition.

zoning opposition government moratorium

Amazon

10/23/2026

News ClipCapital Gazette·Adamstown, Frederick County, MD

In Frederick visit, Cox calls for permanent ban on hyperscale data centers in Maryland$

During a visit near a data center campus in Adamstown, Maryland, political candidate Cox called for a permanent ban on hyperscale data centers statewide. Gov. Wes Moore said he would sign a moratorium bill if lawmakers pass one.

moratorium opposition government

10/22/2026

News Clipbaysideoc.net·Berlin, Worcester County, MD

Orris proposes town moratorium on data centers; No action from council yet

Berlin officials are considering a moratorium of at least one year on data center applications while the town studies potential impacts on electricity, water, infrastructure, public safety and the environment. Council Vice President Jack Orris presented a framework for the review, but the council has not taken action or indicated whether it supports the moratorium.

moratorium government zoning electricity water environmental

10/22/2026

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·Prince Frederick, Calvert County, MD

Calvert County Was Not Consulted on Constellation-Amazon Power Deal

Calvert County officials said they were not consulted before Constellation Energy and Amazon announced a 20-year, 690-megawatt power deal tied to the Calvert Cliffs plant. Residents urged the county to begin environmental studies related to data center development, while plant employees defended existing industrial zoning and the deal's benefits.

announcement opposition environmental zoning electricity moratorium government

Amazon

10/22/2026

News ClipThe Frederick News-Post·Adamstown, Frederick County, MD

Cox calls for permanent ban on hyperscale data centers in Maryland$

Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox called for a permanent ban on hyperscale data centers. He said that, if elected, he would immediately impose a statewide moratorium on data center construction.

moratorium announcement government

10/22/2026

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·Waldorf, Charles County, MD

Charles County Commissioner Seeks Review of Potential Data Center Zoning Loophole in St. Charles

Charles County Commissioner Amanda Stewart said the St. Charles planned-community zoning framework could theoretically allow a data center proposal, despite local officials viewing that outcome as unlikely. Residents are pressing for a countywide ban, and Stewart plans to request a future commissioners' agenda item to address the issue.

zoning opposition government electricity water

10/22/2026

News Clip1:49WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore·MD

Dan Cox vows data center ban in Maryland if elected governor

Maryland gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox said he would permanently ban data centers if elected governor. He also proposed a temporary statewide freeze on data center development while pursuing the permanent ban.

moratorium announcement

10/21/2026

News Clip1:04DC News Now·Frederick County, MD

Data center opposition a key issue in Md. gov. race

Maryland Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox called for an immediate statewide moratorium on new data center development and a permanent ban on mega data centers. He cited impacts on nearby property owners, water quality, and schools, while noting that Gov. Wes Moore's administration created a task force to evaluate proposed projects.

opposition environmental water moratorium government

10/21/2026

News ClipDC News Now·MD

Opposition to data centers is a key campaign issue in Maryland governor’s race$

Opposition to data center development has become a campaign issue in Maryland’s gubernatorial race. The available article information does not identify a specific project, company, or locality.

opposition

10/21/2026

News Clip0:27WBFF FOX45 Baltimore·MD

Dan Cox proposes statewide ban against data center

Dan Cox proposed a statewide ban on new data center development in Maryland, along with a temporary moratorium. His proposal would also require reviews of existing permits and the environmental impacts of data centers.

moratorium government environmental

10/21/2026

News ClipWBFF·Adamstown, Frederick County, MD

Dan Cox demands statewide ban on new Maryland mega data centers

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox joined Adamstown residents in calling for a statewide ban and temporary moratorium on new mega data centers in Maryland. Residents cited concerns about farmland loss, diesel-generator pollution, water quality, noise, traffic, property values and transmission lines built through private land.

opposition environmental electricity water moratorium government

10/21/2026

News ClipThe BayNet·St. Charles, Charles County, MD

St. Charles Permit Changes Could Mean Less Waiting For Homeowners And Businesses

The Charles County Planning Commission approved proposed permitting changes for properties in the St. Charles planned unit development, removing some Planning Design Review Board requirements for home improvements and certain business applications. A residents’ coalition opposed the changes, citing concerns that reduced review could limit public input on future development, including data centers.

government opposition

10/21/2026

News ClipLocalNews1·Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Hagerstown annexation raises questions about proposed data center development

Hagerstown is considering annexing industrial-zoned land associated with Diversified Capital’s proposed Martin Farm data center. The annexation could place the property outside Washington County’s one-year data center moratorium, prompting concerns from Hagerstown Rapid Response ahead of an Oct. 27 public hearing.

government moratorium opposition water

10/21/2026

News ClipConduit Street Blog·MD

Federal Regulators Reject PJM’s Proposed Data Center Power Rules

Federal energy regulators rejected two PJM proposals designed to manage rising electricity demand from data centers. The decision raises questions about grid reliability, power shortages, and who will pay for needed generation and infrastructure, including Maryland customers.

electricity government

10/20/2026

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·MD

UMBC Poll Finds Strong Maryland Opposition to Data Centers Amid Economic Concerns

A UMBC poll found that 81% of Maryland voters rate the state’s economy as poor or fair, with everyday costs and utility bills shaping their views. Nearly three-fourths opposed data centers both in their own communities and anywhere in Maryland, citing concerns about water and air pollution and limited perceived economic benefits.

opposition environmental electricity government

10/19/2026

News ClipMarylandReporter.com·MD

Federal Regulators Reject PJM Proposal to Shut Down Data Centers During Grid Emergencies

Federal energy regulators rejected PJM’s proposal to require data centers in Maryland and surrounding states to shut down during imminent power-supply emergencies. The proposal was intended to help protect grid reliability during periods of severe strain.

electricity government

10/19/2026

News ClipSoMD Chronicle·St. Mary's County, MD

SoMD Chronicle Week in Review for October 10-16, 2026 - -

Two St. Mary’s County commissioners said no data center is currently headed to the county and that a ban is not necessary. The county’s 2050 plan nevertheless includes a goal of zoning for new industries, including data centers.

government zoning

10/18/2026

News ClipThe Frederick News-Post·Adamstown, Frederick County, MD

Sheriff reaches agreement about data center construction traffic$

Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins reached an agreement with companies developing a data center campus near Adamstown to address construction traffic. The agreement follows a traffic tie-up in Buckeystown involving trucks serving the project.

government

10/17/2026