Summary
The committee moved to define and then ban data centers drawing 25+ megawatts from every zone in the county, pairing with an 18-month moratorium to buy time for study. The stakes: energy demand on the grid, water use for cooling, noise, and pressure on the Agricultural Reserve.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Sponsors flagged energy costs and future tax rate questions as open issues to be studied during the moratorium period.
Residents concerned about water, noise, grid strain and the Agricultural Reserve gain protection while the county studies the issue.
Data center developers and landowners with unpermitted projects are barred from proceeding; facilities under 25 megawatts cannot expand past the threshold.
Mentions & discussions (4)
PHP Committee Worksession - Jul 22, 2026
The committee moved to define and then ban data centers drawing 25+ megawatts from every zone in the county, pairing with an 18-month moratorium to buy time for study. The stakes: energy demand on the grid, water use for cooling, noise, and pressure on the Agricultural Reserve.
Council Session - Jun 16, 2026
Two competing bills would pause new data center permits while the county writes regulations — one for six months (Bill 19-26), one for two years (Bill 24-26). Most of the dozens of speakers backed two years, citing the proposed Dickerson facility near the Potomac, water use, noise, and grid strain; business and labor groups warned a long freeze drives jobs away. The County Executive already imposed a six-month executive moratorium, and ZTA 26-01 work sessions start in early July.
Council Session - May 12, 2026
Jawando's bill would pause new data center permits for two years, citing the proposed Dickerson complex's risks to the Potomac watershed, electric bills and noise. Mink co-sponsored; hearing June 16.
Council Session - May 5, 2026
Councilmember Glass introduced a bill placing a six-month pause on new data center building permits so the county can study environmental, power-grid and utility bill impacts. The region already has the world's highest concentration of data centers, and the Potomac was recently named the country's most endangered river.
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