Overview
- The Harford County Council unanimously approved emergency legislation to prohibit data center construction countywide; the measure becomes effective once County Executive Bob Cassilly signs it.
- Council members converted an earlier proposal into emergency law to sidestep a proposed 180-day moratorium and allow the ban to block projects immediately if signed.
- Residents who backed the ban pointed to environmental damage, noise and potential drops in property values, while developers argued projects would bring jobs and tax revenue.
- The Maryland Tech Council warned the ban raises constitutional questions and could prompt litigation, and WBAL reported the state attorney general is reviewing the matter.
- Harford would be the first Maryland locality to enact an outright prohibition as other jurisdictions pursue pauses or limits, and WBAL compiled figures show about 34 operating data centers in the state with roughly 20 planned.