The Montgomery County Council is preparing to vote on an 18-month extension of its moratorium on new data center permits. Eight members of the council have expressed their support for this pause, which aims to allow for further community engagement and planning.
The council’s economic development committee advanced the proposal on Wednesday, with a full council vote scheduled for next Tuesday. At-large council member Will Jawando emphasized the importance of this moment, stating that it provides necessary time to work with the community.
In conjunction with the moratorium, the council’s planning, housing, and parks committee has also moved forward with a proposal to formally define data centers within the county’s zoning regulations. Should the council approve this legislation, new data center constructions will be halted until planners can determine suitable locations.
Discussions surrounding the moratorium have featured various proposals, with Jawando initially advocating for a two-year pause and another council member, Evan Glass, suggesting a six-month delay. The 18-month compromise is seen as a balanced approach.
If the new moratorium is approved, it will replace a six-month ban that was enacted by County Executive Marc Elrich in June. This policy shift is likely to impact plans for five proposed data centers on a site of a former coal-fired power plant along the Potomac River in Dickerson.
In response to the initial moratorium, Atmosphere Data Centers, the company looking to develop these facilities, filed an appeal against the decision. CEO Chuck McBride indicated that the company would refrain from commenting until after the council's vote.
Environmental advocates have welcomed the council's actions and expressed their desire to be involved in the ongoing discussions. Kevin Walton, part of a coalition of 20 environmental organizations in Montgomery County, highlighted the need for community input in establishing standards for data centers.
This extended moratorium aligns with similar pauses in other Maryland counties, including Prince George’s County, which enacted a two-year ban earlier this year. Additionally, New York has recently implemented a statewide moratorium to allow for regulatory development.
Council members noted that the moratorium will facilitate the establishment of appropriate regulations for large data centers, while they await further guidance from the state legislature regarding the impact of these facilities on local communities.
Council President Natali Fani-González reinforced the council's commitment to making informed decisions that reflect the best interests of the county.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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