The city of Baltimore in Maryland, is considering a major pause on the construction of large data centers. On Monday, Zeke Cohen, President of Baltimore City Council, introduced legislation that would impose a one-year moratorium on facilities using 10 MWs or more, effectively banning new data centers citywide during that period.
The council says the pause will allow time to study how these massive facilities affect energy bills, neighbourhoods, and public health, reports Fox45 News.
Zeke Chohen explained the rationale behind the proposed data center construction halt by saying, “I think it’s appropriate and important that we take a timeout, we pay the bills, and their shareholders make bank. That is why another data center is not needed.”
Council members highlighted the potential impact on communities as residents worry that data centers could drive energy costs even higher.
Phylicia Porter, Democratic member of South Baltimore, said, “I intend to make sure that we not only focus on the infrastructure and the economy, but we also focus on not only just the health of our people now, but also the health of our people later.”
Matt Krosche of Hampden said, “I think there are too many of them. I think the BGE costs are already pretty high.”
According to a report from CBS News, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is committed to ensuring large energy users cover infrastructure costs. The utility company stated, “We are committed to implementing strong guardrails to ensure large energy users, including data centers, pay for the infrastructure needed to support their growth, helping shield residential and small businesses from unfair cost impacts.”
Meanwhile, state lawmakers including Senate President Bill Ferguson, Gov. Wes Moore, and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk are pushing legislation to hold data centers accountable for their energy demands.
The City Council plans an informational hearing on community impacts before voting on the moratorium, signalling a careful approach to balancing economic development with neighbourhood and energy concerns.