New moratorium approved

Anne Arundel County Council voted to pause new data centers for 15 months, exempting existing facilities like Sandy Farms Data Center in Severn.

“What concerns me isn’t only the data centers themselves, but everything that comes with them.”

Why not a ban?

Advocates for Fort George G Meade, Maryland’s largest employer, argued a ban would hurt defense contractors and cybersecurity jobs.

15-month pause

The pause lets the county study data center impacts while allowing existing facilities to expand.

Local concerns

Residents cited high energy and water use, plus noise and tax breaks from data centers as key worries.

“She listed additional power demands, transmission substations, noise and the tax breaks available to the developers as potential issues.”

Microsoft's stance

Microsoft says its Annapolis Junction data center has generated millions in tax revenue and wants to avoid delays.

“Microsoft would support establishing a task force to develop responsible regulation.”

Council member push

Council members want tradespeople included in the study group to address construction jobs from data centers.

“He asked council members to make the ban as short as possible and potentially allow certain development projects to move forward despite the moratorium.”