Montgomery County’s Economic Development Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend an amended bill imposing an 18-month moratorium on building permits for large data centers, replacing the current six-month pause issued by County Executive Marc Elrich. The recommendation now heads to the full County Council for final consideration on Tuesday, July 28.
The committee also removed an exemption that would have allowed the proposed Dickerson data center project to move forward during the moratorium. Meanwhile, the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee voted to advance an amended zoning measure that would define large data centers and prohibit them throughout the county while officials develop long-term regulations.
Supporters of the legislation say the extended pause will give the County time to establish regulations governing where and how data centers can be built, including standards related to clean energy, noise, watershed protection, utility costs, public health, emergency preparedness, and community benefits. If approved by the full Council, the moratorium would take effect immediately upon the bill being signed.
