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3w ago

U.S. Cities and Maryland Move to Pause Data Center Growth

Local leaders and the Maryland governor acted to protect communities from strain on utilities, pollution and rising costs to ratepayers.

San Francisco is the capital of the AI industry, but is considering a moratorium on new data center construction. Here, a building housing a data center is seen in the city’s Rincon Hill neighborhood in 2025. 
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Prince William County to vote on major data center policy changes
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Overview

  • Local governments escalated restrictions this week, with Anne Arundel County voting a 15-month moratorium and Baltimore County unanimously extending its pause through December 2027 after local planning reviews.
  • Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order creating a Data Center Task Force to review projects that request state permits or incentives and to publish a public dashboard for proposals that use 25 megawatts or more.
  • Chicago’s mayor proposed a citywide 12-month moratorium while a new task force writes rules, and Oakland’s council committee advanced a 45-day pause to study local impacts.
  • Officials and residents cite large electricity and water needs, frequent use of diesel backup generators, noise and air quality concerns, and polls showing broad opposition to local siting as reasons for the measures.
  • The actions are already producing a patchwork of local and state rules that industry warns will scare off investment while regulators and lawmakers consider requiring developers to cover grid and transmission costs.