# Moore's data center plan avoids pause

> Maryland's governor outlines data center rules without statewide ban.
- Title: Moore's data center plan avoids pause · The Banner | Shortify
- Summary: Maryland's governor outlines data center rules without statewide ban. Gov. Wes Moore proposed data center standards but refused statewide pause, letting…
- Keywords: wes moore, maryland, data center, executive order, local government, environmental impact, ai industry, tax exemption, data center moratorium, chesapeake bay foundation, maryland association of counties, news
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/wes-moore-data-center-announcement-2YXDTFTQJBFXPHGQBXYPDQ4ROY
- Author: Adam Willis,Brenda Wintrode
- Published: 2026-09-23T12:30:43.796+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wes moore, maryland, data center, executive order, local government, environmental impact, ai industry, tax exemption, data center moratorium, chesapeake bay foundation, maryland association of counties, news
## Moore's data center plan
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore proposed data center rules without statewide pause.

> The state will not go around a local community’s ‘no’
## Policy details
New standards for data centers include environmental impact checks and community benefits.
## Local control
Most Maryland counties paused data centers, but Moore let local leaders decide.
## Tax exemption
Moore pledged to repeal $22 million tax break for data centers.
## Environmental groups
Chesapeake Bay Foundation called rules a step forward, climate advocates wanted pause.
## National trend
Other governors paused or tightened data center rules across the country.
## Opposition
Moore's rivals called the plan too weak for data center bans.
## Trump connection
Moore said Trump gave Big Tech free rein to write their own rules.
## What next
Local governments will manage data center decisions without statewide pause.
## Key takeaway

Gov. Wes Moore proposed data center standards but refused statewide pause, letting local governments manage decisions.