In Harford County, Maryland, a proposed data center development has sparked significant local opposition, leading to the county becoming the first in the state to ban such facilities outright. The move was driven by residents’ concerns over environmental impacts and the strain on local infrastructure.
Bryan Cornell, living on a family-owned farm, and Krissy Flatau, residing nearby, spearheaded a grassroots effort to halt the project. Their initiative, “Our Land, Our Home, Our Harford,” was a critical force in advocating against data center developments, culminating in the county’s ban in June.
Data centers have been a contentious topic across Maryland, with growing opposition in many counties. Currently, 13 counties have imposed temporary halts on data center projects, with recent votes extending these pauses. This gives local governments time to assess the facilities’ impacts and devise appropriate regulations.
Angie McCarthy, clean energy campaign manager at Nature Forward, and the leader of Marylanders for Data Center Reform, views the moratoriums as a “natural reaction” to the widespread concerns over environmental and community impacts of data centers.
Several counties, such as Caroline and Montgomery, have recently decided to pause data center developments, seeking time to understand their potential impacts and establish regulations. The Maryland Tech Council has expressed concerns that these moratoriums might overlook significant economic opportunities, stating that many concerns regarding data centers are “misunderstood or vastly overstated.”
In Harford County, the ban was proposed by County Executive Bob Cassilly, who argued that the county lacked the electrical capacity for hyperscale centers. Cassilly stated, “I don’t know what choices they have other than ‘Let’s inflate all the energy prices for all of our residents,’ which doesn’t seem like an appropriate thing to do.” He believes other counties might follow suit due to the state’s limited energy resources.
Montgomery County recently extended its six-month moratorium on data centers to 18 months, aiming to balance economic opportunities with environmental and community needs. As Council member Evan Glass noted, the extension will provide more time to “get this right” without rushing decisions.
Frederick County also paused new data center applications until the year’s end. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater initiated this pause to address community concerns and gather more data on potential impacts. Despite the pause, previously approved projects remain unaffected.
A significant controversy arose when Frederick County expanded its data center zoning, prompting a ballot referendum challenge that was ultimately dismissed by the Maryland Supreme Court. Council member Brad Young argued against the pause, suggesting that data centers could ease residential tax burdens while supporting local schools and infrastructure.
Residents and advocates like Taylor Frazier McCollum and Cornell fear that moratoriums might eventually lead to more data centers, despite public opposition. McCollum emphasized, “It’s a bipartisan issue. It’s something that people are concerned about. They don’t want their sleep disrupted. They don’t want to live near diesel generators or have gas plants turned back on to run a data center in the community.”
As counties consider their next steps, McCarthy highlights the need for tailored solutions, suggesting that if communities cannot agree on regulations, a permanent ban may be necessary. Advocates remain vigilant, determined to continue opposing data center developments in Maryland.
Original Story at penncapital-star.com