Howard County has announced it is looking for people to serve on the recently created Data Center Task Force established by the Howard County Council. The deadline to apply is July 24.
Data Center Task Force Purpose
The task force was created under the “S.M.A.R.T. (Strategic Moratorium for Assessing Responsible Technology) Siting Act” or CB31-2026 legislation, passed on June 1. The act aims to define and review best practices for the construction and operation of data centers within Howard County. Until those parameters are set, the act creates a moratorium on the development of new data centers in Howard County through Nov. 2, 2027.
In February 2026, Baltimore County Council passed a one-year moratorium on data centers while the Planning Board studies the impacts such centers have. In May 2026, Baltimore City passed a one-year moratorium on data centers, and that same month, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly proposed a permanent ban on data centers in Harford County.
Task Force Membership and Responsibilities
There will be 11 members on Howard County’s Data Center Task Force. The county executive will appoint six of them, and the five County Council members will each appoint one representative. Applicants should have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: data center siting and location; setbacks and screening; water consumption and impact; power and energy infrastructure; noise and acoustic mitigation; impact fees or excise taxes; plans for decommissioning, and removing the datacenter tax credit.
Within 12 months, the task force must hold a public hearing to get public comment, and ultimately report its findings and recommendations to the Howard County Council and County Executive.
To apply, complete the online application by visiting www.howardcountymd.gov/applybc and selecting “Data Center Task Force” in the form. The County Executive will review eligible applicants and forward the approved applications to the County Council for confirmation. Anyone with questions about the application process can send an email to [email protected].
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
