Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order on Saturday that creates a single, statewide review process for large data center projects. The order, announced during a morning speech, sets five principles aimed at increasing accountability, transparency, and local benefit before any new facility can receive a state‑issued permit.
Key provisions of the order
The order requires data center developers to:
- Hire local contractors and laborers for construction and ongoing operations.
- Demonstrate that the project will not place undue strain on Maryland’s electric grid.
- Provide detailed estimates of electricity and water usage, and outline plans to meet those needs.
- Allow nearby residents a meaningful voice in the permitting process.
- Submit all permit and incentive requests through a new, centralized review board.
Governor Moore emphasized that “local governments know their communities better than anybody,” and that residents “deserve a real say in what happens in their neighborhoods.” He also announced the creation of a task force with authority to review every data center proposal and an online dashboard that will display project details for public scrutiny.
Repeal of 2020 tax‑exemption law
Alongside the new standards, Moore called on the Maryland General Assembly to repeal a 2020 law that granted data centers exemptions from sales and use tax. The governor’s campaign noted that the exemption was originally sponsored by his Republican opponent, former Delegate Dan Cox, when the bill passed.
“Cox rolled out the red carpet for data centers to come to Maryland,” said Carter Elliott IV, a spokesperson for the Moore campaign. “He is now using the issue to benefit his own political ambitions.”
Political reaction
Former Delegate Dan Cox, the Republican candidate who lost to Moore in the 2022 gubernatorial race, condemned the order as a political stunt. In an online posting, Cox claimed the governor was “using deceit to steal your vote” and warned that a future administration could “greenlight the data center farmland takeover of Maryland.”
Moore’s team responded that the tax‑exemption bill Cox championed was the very legislation they are now seeking to repeal, framing the governor’s actions as a correction of a past policy that favored corporate interests over Maryland families.
Broader context
Data centers are a growing source of local controversy as they consume significant electricity and water while promising high‑tech jobs. Both liberal and conservative leaders in Maryland have approved local moratoriums on new facilities, reflecting bipartisan concern over resource strain and community impact.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger recently issued a similar executive order to further regulate data centers in her state, indicating a regional trend toward tighter oversight of these energy‑intensive projects.
What’s next?
The new standards will take effect immediately, and the task force is expected to convene within weeks to begin reviewing pending proposals. The online dashboard will be launched shortly, giving Marylanders real‑time access to project data, including projected electricity and water usage.
Governor Moore concluded, “If a corporation wants to build here, Marylanders must share in the benefits.” The order signals a shift toward ensuring that data center development aligns with the interests of local communities, the state’s energy infrastructure, and the broader public good.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
