Councilmembers Advocate for Pause on Data Center Development

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, joined by Councilmember Kristin Mink, residents and community advocates, held a press conference Tuesday ahead of a public hearing on Expedited Bill 24-26, which would establish a two-year moratorium on building permits for data centers in Montgomery County.

The legislation is intended to provide time for the County to develop policies addressing issues such as water use, watershed impacts, energy demand, utility costs, noise, taxation and labor standards before additional data center projects move forward.

According to the bill’s sponsors, the proposed moratorium would apply to all data center projects, including the proposed development in Dickerson. Jawando and Mink said the pause would allow the County to evaluate potential environmental, infrastructure and community impacts and consider future regulations. The public hearing on the legislation drew significant interest from residents and advocacy groups, with several community members participating in Tuesday’s proceedings.

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