Maryland Statewide: Stop the Buildout of Data Centers
Data centers are spreading fast all across Maryland — driving up electricity demand, threatening climate progress, straining water resources, and exposing nearby communities to more air and noise pollution. A growing number of counties or cities have enacted local bans or moratoriums but new data center proposals continue to proliferate. In too many places, these massive new facilities are being approved before basic safeguards are in place. We need to pause statewide.
Sign the petition: Moratorium NOW on new data centers in Maryland!
We, the undersigned, urge federal, state and local leaders to enact an immediate moratorium on new data center approvals, permitting, construction, upgrades, and grid connections until comprehensive safeguards are in place to protect our communities, our climate, our water, and our electric bills.
Data centers’ rapid, unchecked buildout is creating serious harms in our region and across the nation. Massive new data centers are demanding huge amounts of electricity, pushing utilities toward new gas plants, diesel generators, pipelines, and other polluting infrastructure. These costs should not be passed on to families and small businesses through higher monthly bills while some of the world’s wealthiest corporations receive tax breaks and other special treatment.
Before any new data centers move forward, public policymakers must ensure that these facilities:
- Run on 100 percent clean energy;
- Protect nearby communities from air pollution, noise, and health impacts;
- Pay their fair share of energy and infrastructure costs;
- Preserve local water resources;
- Meet strong energy efficiency standards; and
- Do not undermine state and local climate goals.
We do not need more delays, loopholes, or industry-friendly half-measures. We need action now.
Please enact a full moratorium on new dirty data centers until strong, enforceable safeguards are in place.
Sincerely,
