# Baltimore Council Weighs Data Center Rules

> Baltimore City Council debates data center regulations amid public backlash.
- Title: Baltimore Council Weighs Data Center Rules · The Banner
- Summary: Baltimore City Council debates data center regulations amid public backlash. Baltimore City Council considers health equity assessments for data centers but…
- Keywords: baltimore city council, data centers, health equity assessment, public interest, municipal moratorium, energy demand, ai net, lexington market, pjm interconnection, public service commission, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-city-council-data-centers-plan-5TAL6QNJAZAQJC2U4AYG5FJOIY
- Author: Emily Opilo
- Published: 2026-09-25T17:30:33.685+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: baltimore city council, data centers, health equity assessment, public interest, municipal moratorium, energy demand, ai net, lexington market, pjm interconnection, public service commission, news, local
## Baltimore Council Moratorium
Baltimore City Council approved a temporary moratorium on data centers for one year.

> Baltimore City Council approved a temporary moratorium on data centers for one year
## Health Equity Assessment Proposal
Councilwoman Phylicia Porter proposed requiring a health equity assessment before data center construction.

> Councilwoman Phylicia Porter proposed requiring a health equity assessment before data center construction
## Public Opposition to Proposal
City residents opposed Porter’s health equity assessment proposal during a council hearing.

> City residents opposed Porter’s health equity assessment proposal during a council hearing
## Existing Data Centers
Baltimore has six known data centers, including AiNET using 80 megawatts near Lexington Market.

> Baltimore has six known data centers, including AiNET using 80 megawatts near Lexington Market
## Data Center Impact on Grid
Officials said data centers beyond Maryland’s borders increase projected energy demand for the region.

> Officials said data centers beyond Maryland’s borders increase projected energy demand for the region
## Proposed Threshold Reduction
Councilman Mark Parker proposed cutting the data center capacity threshold from 10 megawatts to 5 megawatts.

> Councilman Mark Parker proposed cutting the data center capacity threshold from 10 megawatts to 5 megawatts
## Public Backlash and Alternatives
Public backlash led to suggestions for data centers to offer free computing for universities or housing investments.

> Public backlash led to suggestions for data centers to offer free computing for universities or housing investments
## Council President's Stance
Council President Zeke Cohen stated all options including a wholesale ban are on the table for data centers.

> Council President Zeke Cohen stated all options including a wholesale ban are on the table for data centers
## Key takeaway

Baltimore City Council considers health equity assessments for data centers but no ban is currently proposed.