Maryland Data Center Moratorium Tracker
Maryland has 3 state-level data-center restrictions in force and 1 active pause. 3 more bills are pending. 32 city and county measures are tracked here, 25 of them in force. Every entry below links to its primary source: a legislature page, a governor's office, a local government, or the reporting of record.
Maryland
MD
In force
12
State-level measures on record, 4 in force
32
City and county measures, 25 in force
43
Primary sources cited on this page
#12
of 50 states with anything on record, by measure count
State-level measures in Maryland
Every statewide moratorium, pause, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback in Maryland we can verify against a primary source. Strongest status first.
| Measure | Status | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (Veto Override - Impact Study)Maryland: The Maryland General Assembly overrode Governor Moore's veto (Senate 44-0, House 111-24), enacting a law requiring a comprehensive environmental | In force 2025-12 | The Maryland General Assembly overrode Governor Moore's veto (Senate 44-0, House 111-24), enacting a law requiring a comprehensive environmental and economic analysis of data center expansion. The report is due September 2026 and must examine the cumulative impact of data center growth on electricity generation needs, grid capacity, water resource demands, and greenhouse gas emissions. | |
| HB 1532Maryland: Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act, into law on or about April 15 | In force 2026-04 | Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act, into law on or about April 15, 2026, the day after the General Assembly passed it on the final day of session (April 13/14). The bill's data center provisions create a large-load registry program for grid management, require data centers to pay for transmission, distribution, interconnection, and new capacity costs (preventing cost-shifting to other ratepayers), and incentivize data centers to bring their own clean energy generation with battery backup (effective 2028). Top-tier projects receive 12-month expedited environmental permitting and priority interconnection. Critics including Food & Water Watch criticized provisions they characterized as pro-industry. The law saves Maryland families an estimated $150/year on energy bills. | |
| Executive Order 01.01.2026.16Responsible Data Center Development framework and review task force | In force 2026-09 | Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order on Sept. 23, 2026, effective immediately, creating a Maryland Data Center Task Force that reviews every data center of 25 MW or more that seeks any state action, rates each as Aligned, Conditionally Aligned or Not Aligned with a five-part framework, and publishes a monthly public dashboard. It does not pause construction; state permits, approvals and incentives are to be informed by each project's alignment with the framework. | |
| Executive Order on Data Centers | Paused 2026-09 | An executive order creates a review process for large data centers, adds a public dashboard and a task force, and signals a push to end a key tax exemption. The order comes as the costs of data centers are under scrutiny nationwide. | |
| SB 596Demand response and storage for large-load customers | Proposed 2026 | Would incentivize large-load customers of 25 MW or more to participate in demand response and onsite power storage programs. Introduced; pending. | |
| Frederick County (Pippy state moratorium bill)Maryland: Frederick County Delegate Jesse Pippy introduced a bill proposing a data center moratorium specifically for Frederick County while the state conducts | Proposed 2026-03 | Frederick County Delegate Jesse Pippy introduced a bill proposing a data center moratorium specifically for Frederick County while the state conducts a comprehensive study of data center impacts. The legislation responds to growing community concern after the Frederick County Council voted 5-2 to adopt a 2,615-acre 'Critical Digital Infrastructure' overlay zone, which prompted residents to launch a referendum petition campaign that gathered over 22,000 signatures. Maryland counties more broadly have been calling on the data center industry to slow down. Fcdcreferendum.org does NOT display a live signature count; the 22,169 figure was removed. The 21,029 figure was the Board of Elections certified count at ballot qualification (CCAN source). Signature goal was 18,000 by March 15 per the committee's own site. Pippy's state moratorium bill died at MD sine die Apr 13, but the citizen referendum on the data center overlay zone was certified for the Nov 2026 ballot Apr 3 with 21,029 valid signatures (now facing legal challenges). | |
| New data centers in neighboring Maryland to get additional scrutiny under governor's order | Proposed 2026-09 | Governor Wes Moore is creating a state task force to examine new data center proposals in Maryland and advise local jurisdictions on whether they meet state standards. However, he stated that the final decision on data center projects will remain with local governments. | |
| HB 905Sales and Use Tax Exemption, Qualified Data Center Personal Property, Eligibility | Failed / vetoed 2024-02 | Maryland HB 905 (2024): Sales and Use Tax Exemption, Qualified Data Center Personal Property, Eligibility. Last action 2024-02-08: Hearing 2/29 at 1:00 p.m. (Ways and Means). | |
| HB 120Moratorium on construction of new data centers | Failed / vetoed 2026 | Would prohibit new data centers statewide until co-location and generation legislation is enacted; heard in committee Feb 3 but did not advance before sine die. | |
| HB 560Maryland HB 560 (Del. Palakovich Karr, D - Ways & Means) would repeal the existing exemption from sales/use tax and property tax for personal property used | Failed / vetoed 2026-01 | Maryland HB 560 (Del. Palakovich Karr, D - Ways & Means) would repeal the existing exemption from sales/use tax and property tax for personal property used at qualified data centers in Maryland. Part of a 2026 wave of state-level legislation rethinking data center tax incentives, over 300 state data center bills have been filed across 30+ states in just six weeks of the 2026 session. Maryland separately overrode a Moore veto to mandate a comprehensive data center impact study (due Sept 2026), reflecting growing legislative skepticism of data center subsidies as energy costs rise. HB 560 (repeal data center tax exemptions) never advanced past its Feb 12 Ways & Means hearing; MD adjourned sine die Apr 13, 2026. | |
| HB 1595Maryland HB1595 authorizes Baltimore City and county governing bodies to establish a special personal property tax subclass for qualified data centers and set | Failed / vetoed 2026-02 | Maryland HB1595 authorizes Baltimore City and county governing bodies to establish a special personal property tax subclass for qualified data centers and set a rate up to 2.5x the standard real property tax rate. The bill emerged from Frederick County's push for local taxing authority over data center equipment after the county discovered data centers' vast server farms were taxed at the same rate as other business personal property. The legislation was introduced February 15, 2026 and referred to the Ways and Means Committee. HB 1595/SB 427 (local property-tax authority over data centers) did not pass; MD sine die Apr 13, 2026. | |
| HB 1411Maryland: In Maryland, HB 1411 would require large-scale data center operators to report environmental and resource impacts publicly. | Failed / vetoed 2026-03 | In Maryland, HB 1411 would require large-scale data center operators to report environmental and resource impacts publicly. Mandates jurisdictions with 10,000+ residents create formal data center management plans by 2027. Includes $1,000/MW payment into EmPOWER program for low-income assistance. HB 1411 did not pass the 2026 Maryland session (sine die April 13, 2026). The community's stated objective was to mandate public environmental reporting from data centers (HB 1411). |
City and county moratoria in Maryland
Most of the movement is local, where a building pause or permit halt does not need a legislative session. 32 tracked measures in Maryland, each with its source.
Baltimore City
2026-05
One-year moratorium on data centers of 10 MW or more
The City Council passed a one-year moratorium in early May 2026 on construction of data centers projected to use 10 MW or more of electricity annually, and Mayor Brandon Scott signed it. Introduced by Council President Zeke Cohen and sponsored by 12 of the 15 members, it also requires a nine-month study of impacts on energy infrastructure, ratepayers, the economy, and environmental and public health.
Baltimore County
2026-09
Freeze on data center permits pending planning study
The County Council, which adopted a data center moratorium in February 2026, voted unanimously on September 22, 2026, to extend it through December 31, 2027.
Calvert County
2026-08
Six-month data center moratorium
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 18, 2026 for a six-month moratorium on site plan approvals for data center projects, effective Aug. 28, 2026.
Caroline County
2026-07
One-year moratorium on new data centers
County commissioners voted in July 2026 to establish a one-year moratorium on new data centers in the county's unincorporated areas while officials research impacts and consider regulations.
Carroll County
2026-02
One-year data center moratorium
The Board of County Commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on data centers on Feb. 19, 2026 to allow study of economic and environmental impacts and drafting of regulations. Commissioners have since directed staff to continue work on zoning rules before the deferral expires, weighing water limits and electricity costs.
Chesapeake Beach
2026-01
Local moratorium on data centers with no end date
Town Council voted 4-0 to pass ordinance prohibiting data centers in all zones. Calvert County waterfront municipality acted preemptively, no known developer interest. Concerns over environmental impact and tourism economy. The measure has no end date by design.
Dickerson (Montgomery County)
2026-02
Dickerson (Montgomery County) data center moratorium
California-based Atmosphere Data Centers plans a $2 billion, 300MW data center complex on 170 acres at the site of a decommissioned coal-fired power plant in Dickerson, Maryland,. Atmosphere filed for water withdrawal and discharge permits from the Potomac River upstream from the WSSC water intake that serves millions in the DC metro area. The Sugarloaf Citizens Association and a coalition of 20+ environmental organizations are calling for a moratorium on data center approvals until the County Council approves regulations. County Executive Elrich said the developers 'have a right to go forward' in the planning process, though he has floated a six-month moratorium. The data center debate has fueled election-year tensions.
Dorchester County
2026-06
Local moratorium on data centers for a stated term
1-year moratorium. Part of the Eastern Shore moratorium cluster. The measure has a stated duration whose end date is not recorded.
Federalsburg
2026-08
City moratorium on data centers through August 4, 2029
Town Council unanimously passed a 3-year moratorium on data center development (5-0); also introduced ordinance to ban data centers entirely. The measure runs to August 4, 2029.
Frederick County
2026-07
Data center permitting pause through end of 2026
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater signed an order July 1, 2026 pausing new data center permitting and approvals through year-end; it does not affect previously approved projects.
Harford County
2026-06
Permanent ban on data centers in all zoning districts
Bill 26-011, proposed by County Executive Bob Cassilly, passed the County Council unanimously after a public hearing and was signed on June 10, 2026. It removes data centers as a permitted use in every zoning district, making Harford the first Maryland county to adopt an outright permanent ban. The law's drafting has drawn legal threats and supporters have acknowledged it may face a court challenge.
Howard County
2026-06
S.M.A.R.T. Siting Act moratorium through Nov. 2, 2027
The County Council voted unanimously in early June 2026 to suspend new data center development through Nov. 2, 2027 and to create a task force that has one year to report findings and recommendations. Existing facilities and projects already approved for construction are not affected.
Howard County (temporary data center moratorium through Nov 2027), MD
2026-06
Howard County (temporary data center moratorium through Nov 2027), MD data center moratorium
The Howard County Council passed CB31-2026, a temporary moratorium pausing data center development through November 2027 to modernize the county's roughly 1993-era zoning regulations covering energy, water, and siting. Sponsored by Councilmember Christiana Rigby.
Hurlock
2026-09
Three-year moratorium on AI data center development
The Hurlock Town Council (Dorchester County) voted for a three-year moratorium on AI data center development, effective immediately, as reported September 10, 2026. Council President Russell Murphy said the town will watch what Dorchester County decides for the long term.
Montgomery County
2026-06
18-month data center moratorium
County Executive Marc Elrich's initial six-month pause (June 2026) was extended to an 18-month moratorium on data center permits.
Montgomery County (Executive Elrich 6-month data center moratorium EO), MD
2026-06
Montgomery County (Executive Elrich 6-month data center moratorium EO), MD data center moratorium
On June 13, 2026 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed an executive order imposing a six-month moratorium on new data center permits, directing the Department of Permitting Services to stop accepting or processing applications, effective immediately, including the prospective data center at the decommissioned Dickerson power plant site. Elrich stressed 'it's not a ban' but a window to set clear rules.
Prince George's County
2026-07
Two-year hyperscale data center moratorium
The County Council passed a two-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development on July 8, 2026 to draft comprehensive siting legislation, following opposition to a Landover Mall campus plan.
Prince George's County (Landover)
2025-09
Prince George's County (Landover) data center moratorium
The Qualified Data Center Task Force released a 460+ page report with 14 recommendations. Key proposals include ending 'permitted-by-right' approvals for data centers, requiring special-exception or planned-development processes with community hearings, tightening zoning restrictions, protecting environmentally sensitive areas, and increasing buffer distances from homes.
Prince George's County Council (2-year data center moratorium)
2026-07
Prince George's County Council (2-year data center moratorium) data center moratorium
County Council approved a 2-year pause on new data center development applications, giving officials time to develop a zoning framework for where/how data centers can be built; the pause can end early if that framework is adopted sooner. One clear 'no' vote (Councilmember Tim Adams, objecting to the 2-year length) plus some abstentions. The moratorium grew out of the county's Qualified Data Center Task Force, formed after a proposed hyperscale conversion of the Landover Mall site drew protests. Prince George's is now Maryland's most restrictive data-center jurisdiction, joining Montgomery, Frederick, and Baltimore counties in pausing development.
Queen Anne's County
2026-06
12-month moratorium on data center applications
The County Commissioners approved a temporary 12-month moratorium on the application, processing and approval of data centers, effective immediately on adoption on June 4, 2026, to give the county time to evaluate impacts and develop policies, performance standards and zoning regulations. It may be modified or extended by the commissioners.
Ridgely
2026-08
Local moratorium on data centers through August 31, 2027
1-year moratorium; part of an Eastern Shore wave of local action after a controversial Federalsburg data center proposal. The measure runs to August 31, 2027.
Talbot County
2026-09
Twelve-month moratorium on data center applications
A one-year data center moratorium was introduced before the Talbot County Council with a public hearing set for Sept. 8, 2026. At its Sept. 8, 2026 meeting the council unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications while the county considers regulations.
Washington County
2026-06
12-month data center moratorium
Commissioners voted 4-1 on June 30, 2026 for a yearlong moratorium halting acceptance, review and approval of new data center applications after residents raised water and infrastructure concerns.
Wicomico County
2026-08
County moratorium on data centers through August 6, 2027
County Council unanimously imposed a 1-year moratorium on construction of data centers. The measure runs to August 6, 2027.
Worcester County
2026-01
County moratorium on data centers through July 21, 2027
Resolution No. 26-18 placing a 12-month moratorium on permits for data centers and cable landing stations. The measure runs to July 21, 2027.
Anne Arundel
2026-09
Anne Arundel Steps Back From Ban on Data Center Development
The Anne Arundel County government paused a proposed ban on data center development. This action was taken on 2026-09-25.
Easton
2026-08
Proposed one-year data center moratorium
The Easton Town Council on August 3, 2026 instructed the town's legal team to draft a one-year moratorium on data centers. The moratorium would have to be voted on by the council once drafted.
Frederick
2026-10
Two-year moratorium on data center legislation amendments
Frederick City Council members and residents debated a proposed two-year moratorium on data center-related amendments to the land management code, introduced by Council Member Derek Shackelford; the ordinance would prevent the city from moving forward on such amendments and includes a clause allowing extensions as needed.
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (proposed legislation to permanently ban data centers countywide; public hearing May 18, vote June 1), MD
2026-05
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (proposed legislation to permanently ban data centers countywide; public hearing May 18, vote June 1), MD data center moratorium (proposed)
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly proposed legislation to permanently ban data centers countywide, going beyond Council Member Bennett's 90-day moratorium (Bill 26-005). Public hearing set May 18; County Council vote scheduled June 1, 2026. May 19, 2026: County Council withdrew the competing 180-day moratorium (Bill 26-005) and voted unanimously to convert Cassilly's permanent ban (Bill 26-011) into emergency legislation. New public hearing June 9; if approved, ban takes effect immediately on signature.
Pocomoke City
2026-09
Proposed one-year data center moratorium
The Pocomoke City Mayor and Council (Worcester County) introduced a proposed moratorium on data centers at a September 8, 2026 meeting. The pause would last about one year, with the ability to modify or extend it, and the planning and zoning department would not accept or process data center applications while it is in effect. No adoption vote is reported.
Salisbury
Proposed local moratorium on data centers
Planning Commission recommended 1-year moratorium on data center development (Aug 14, 2026); City Council vote pending. Mayor supports the pause. The measure has no documented term.
Somerset County
2026-01
Proposed county moratorium on data centers
One-year moratorium on data center siting recommended to county commissioners; outcome not confirmed. The measure has no documented term.
Where Maryland stands
Across the whole tracker we hold 334 state-level measures in 49 states and 1253 city and county measures, against 1419 primary sources. Maryland accounts for 12 of the state-level measures and 32 of the local ones.
By total measures on record it is #12 of the 50 states and DC carrying any tracked action, and #14 by city and county measures alone. Ranking is by count of sourced entries in this dataset, so it measures documented activity, not the size of the buildout.
Sources for Maryland
43 citations behind the entries above. Each opens in a new tab.
- Statewide · Maryland (Veto Override - Impact Study) — Maryland: The Maryland General Assembly overrode Governor Moore's veto (Senate 44-0, House 111-24), enacting a law requiring a comprehensive environmental marylandmatters.org →
- Statewide · HB 1532 — Maryland: Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act, into law on or about April 15 governor.maryland.gov →
- Statewide · Executive Order 01.01.2026.16 — Responsible Data Center Development framework and review task force governor.maryland.gov →
- Statewide — Executive Order on Data Centers govtech.com →
- Statewide · SB 596 — Demand response and storage for large-load customers afslaw.com →
- Statewide · Frederick County (Pippy state moratorium bill) — Maryland: Frederick County Delegate Jesse Pippy introduced a bill proposing a data center moratorium specifically for Frederick County while the state conducts fredericknewspost.com →
- Statewide — New data centers in neighboring Maryland to get additional scrutiny under governor's order penncapital-star.com →
- Statewide · HB 905 — Sales and Use Tax Exemption, Qualified Data Center Personal Property, Eligibility mgaleg.maryland.gov →
- Statewide · HB 120 — Moratorium on construction of new data centers mgaleg.maryland.gov →
- Statewide · HB 560 — Maryland HB 560 (Del. Palakovich Karr, D - Ways & Means) would repeal the existing exemption from sales/use tax and property tax for personal property used stateline.org →
- Statewide · HB 1595 — Maryland HB1595 authorizes Baltimore City and county governing bodies to establish a special personal property tax subclass for qualified data centers and set mgaleg.maryland.gov →
- Statewide · HB 1411 — Maryland: In Maryland, HB 1411 would require large-scale data center operators to report environmental and resource impacts publicly. legiscan.com →
- Baltimore City — One-year moratorium on data centers of 10 MW or more baltimorefishbowl.com →
- Baltimore County — Freeze on data center permits pending planning study wypr.org →
- Calvert County — Six-month data center moratorium calvertcountymd.gov →
- Caroline County — One-year moratorium on new data centers wboc.com →
- Carroll County — One-year data center moratorium baltimoresun.com →
- Chesapeake Beach — Local moratorium on data centers with no end date southernmarylandchronicle.com →
- Dickerson (Montgomery County) — Dickerson (Montgomery County) data center moratorium bethesdamagazine.com →
- Dorchester County — Local moratorium on data centers for a stated term stardem.com →
- Federalsburg — City moratorium on data centers through August 4, 2029 stardem.com →
- Frederick County and 1 other locality — 2 separate measures, cited together southernmarylandchronicle.com →
- Harford County — Permanent ban on data centers in all zoning districts harfordcountymd.gov →
- Howard County — S.M.A.R.T. Siting Act moratorium through Nov. 2, 2027 thebanner.com →
- Howard County (temporary data center moratorium through Nov 2027), MD — Howard County (temporary data center moratorium through Nov 2027), MD data center moratorium foxbaltimore.com →
- Hurlock — Three-year moratorium on AI data center development wmdt.com →
- Montgomery County (Executive Elrich 6-month data center moratorium EO), MD — Montgomery County (Executive Elrich 6-month data center moratorium EO), MD data center moratorium montgomerycountymd.gov →
- Prince George's County — Two-year hyperscale data center moratorium marylandmatters.org →
- Prince George's County (Landover) — Prince George's County (Landover) data center moratorium foxbaltimore.com →
- Prince George's County Council (2-year data center moratorium) — Prince George's County Council (2-year data center moratorium) data center moratorium wtop.com →
- Queen Anne's County — 12-month moratorium on data center applications qac.org →
- Ridgely — Local moratorium on data centers through August 31, 2027 stardem.com →
- Talbot County — Twelve-month moratorium on data center applications talbotspy.org →
- Washington County — 12-month data center moratorium thedailyrecord.com →
- Wicomico County — County moratorium on data centers through August 6, 2027 baltimoresun.com →
- Worcester County — County moratorium on data centers through July 21, 2027 worcestermd.gov →
- Anne Arundel — Anne Arundel Steps Back From Ban on Data Center Development news.google.com →
- Easton — Proposed one-year data center moratorium stardem.com →
- Frederick — Two-year moratorium on data center legislation amendments yahoo.com →
- Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (proposed legislation to permanently ban data centers countywide; public hearing May 18, vote June 1), MD — Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (proposed legislation to permanently ban data centers countywide; public hearing May 18, vote June 1), MD data center moratorium (proposed) baltimoresun.com →
- Pocomoke City — Proposed one-year data center moratorium wmdt.com →
- Salisbury — Proposed local moratorium on data centers wboc.com →
- Somerset County — Proposed county moratorium on data centers baytobaynews.com →
What does bind large loads in Maryland
A moratorium is only one way a data center gets stopped. The grid operator decides whether it can connect at all, and on what terms. Maryland sits in 1 footprint.
PJMDominant
Large loads must bring new capacity or be curtailed first. Filed, pending at FERC.
Entire state in PJM (BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, Potomac Edison).
States next door
4 of the 5 states bordering Maryland have at least one data-center measure on record. Restrictions tend to travel between neighbors, so this is usually where the next one comes from.
Data centers in Maryland
The US Data Center Map identifies 48 facilities run by 20 operators in Maryland, each one placed from primary sources and listed by city and by operator, with the measures on this page beside them.
Open the Maryland data center map → · The US Data Center Map →
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How to read this page
In force = a moratorium, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback that is currently enacted, by statute or executive order. Paused = a temporary hold on new incentives or applications. Proposed = introduced and still pending. Failed / vetoed = died in committee, was voted down, or was vetoed.
This page is generated from the same primary-sourced dataset as the national U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker and is re-checked on the same weekly cycle, whether or not anything changed. Legislative status changes quickly; it is informational, not legal advice. Spot something out of date in Maryland? Tell us.
Companion references: the Data Center Grid Operator Watchlist for the interconnection and curtailment rules that bind here, the Data Center Water Tracker for water mandates, and the Data Center Delay Watchlist for named projects.
Why Maryland is pushing back
The objections repeat from state to state: strain on the electric grid, water drawn for cooling, and the sense that a facility takes local resources without giving much back. SAVRN builds AI factories designed around those three objections: on-site power that does not lean on the public grid, direct-to-chip cooling that does not consume municipal water, and a training institute that puts local people to work inside the building.
See how a SAVRN factory works Talk to us about a Maryland site