It's Time - We need a moratorium on data centers while we learn more and craft careful regulations. Take a moment to personalize a letter to the County Council and Planning Board.
Can you take one more step and testify? On February 24th ZTA 26-01 will have a public hearing at the Council 1:30pm Click here to sign up to testify (in person or on zoom)
So much happened this week with Data Centers both here in MoCo and across the country that we did a wrap up video.
Breaking: Atmosphere LLC, the developer of the 5 proposed hyper-scale data centers in Dickerson has submitted a permit to withdraw to up to 2 Million gallons of water per day from the Potomac.
The region has been under drought operations for most of the last two summers. In this interview their CEO says their facilities use no water and that the projects they build use a Gigawatt of power each.
The MoCo Climate Coalition representing more than 20 local climate focused groups has asked that the County Executive issue an executive order for a pause on data center applications and approvals. This reflects the executive orders from the County Execs in PG and Frederick Counties.
Breaking: GMU study highlights data center health risks, urges strong regulations
VCU study finds Northern Virginia data center air pollution rivals power plant emissions because of backup desiel generators - like the ones proposed for the Dickerson project.
The region has been under drought operations for most of the last two summers. In this interview their CEO says their facilities use no water and that the projects they build use a Gigawatt of power each.
The MoCo Climate Coalition representing more than 20 local climate focused groups has asked that the County Executive issue an executive order for a pause on data center applications and approvals. This reflects the executive orders from the County Execs in PG and Frederick Counties.
Breaking: GMU study highlights data center health risks, urges strong regulations
VCU study finds Northern Virginia data center air pollution rivals power plant emissions because of backup desiel generators - like the ones proposed for the Dickerson project.
The County Exec held a community forum on Data Centers on the evening of February 3.
The press release is here.
The Recording is here.
Residents brought many thoughtful questions. Themes that emerged from questions and comments were questioning if the financial benefits attributed to hosting data centers were real, outweighed the harms to the environment and were going to offset the harms to mostly middle and lower income residents who will shoulder increased energy prices and possible water impacts. Residents called for a deliberative, transparent process to take place - a process that can only happen once a moratorium is in place to allow for a deliberative process.
What's Next:
- Questions can still be submitted to [email protected]
-On February 24th ZTA 26-01 will have a public hearing at the Council 1:30pm Click here to sign up to testify (in person or on zoom)
The press release is here.
The Recording is here.
Residents brought many thoughtful questions. Themes that emerged from questions and comments were questioning if the financial benefits attributed to hosting data centers were real, outweighed the harms to the environment and were going to offset the harms to mostly middle and lower income residents who will shoulder increased energy prices and possible water impacts. Residents called for a deliberative, transparent process to take place - a process that can only happen once a moratorium is in place to allow for a deliberative process.
What's Next:
- Questions can still be submitted to [email protected]
-On February 24th ZTA 26-01 will have a public hearing at the Council 1:30pm Click here to sign up to testify (in person or on zoom)
The MoCo Climate Coalition provided comments on the County Executive's draft framework for Data Centers - you can read those here. From the comments you can see that there are so many moving parts to this issue and Montgomery County is only beginning to set up any guide rails while data centers speed toward approval under zoning meant for "cable communications". For this reason the coalition is asking for the County Executive to call for an immediate moratorium on permitting for data centers while these policies are discussed and adopted in a transparent process with stakeholders.
To chart the county's way forward we are looking at what other jurisdictions are doing. There is of course a moratorium in PG County, a new one in Baltimore and Carroll Counties as well and these common sense recommendations from Mobilize Frederick.
One idea is limiting data centers to only areas that are already zoned industrial . Click the map below to see where industrial sites are in the County. And of course keeping data centers off any areas that are reliant on groundwater.
Related: The Federal DOE ruled that in the cold data centers can rely entirely on countless diesel generators for round the clock power this further complicates the picture making a moratorium even more needed.
To chart the county's way forward we are looking at what other jurisdictions are doing. There is of course a moratorium in PG County, a new one in Baltimore and Carroll Counties as well and these common sense recommendations from Mobilize Frederick.
One idea is limiting data centers to only areas that are already zoned industrial . Click the map below to see where industrial sites are in the County. And of course keeping data centers off any areas that are reliant on groundwater.
Related: The Federal DOE ruled that in the cold data centers can rely entirely on countless diesel generators for round the clock power this further complicates the picture making a moratorium even more needed.
Click here to see more detail on where industrially zoned areas exist in the County - more places than you would think (Map thanks to the Planning Department)
Last week there were two efforts from the Council to create data center regulations. We are pouring through them to draft responses.
In the background is a proposal to site a cluster of data centers on the site of the old Pepco station that will draw all its water for cooling from the Potomac. This proposal has received preliminary approval despite not having a site plan. Frederick County allies are seeking to overturn a decision to allow data centers on 1% of county land with a ballot referendum - a heavy lift that can use your help.
One bill is an effort from CMs Fani Gonzalez, Balcombe and Sayles (full text here). The other is from CM Glass. Both bills will be introduced this coming Tuesday (agenda here). The County executive intends to hold public meeting in the beginning of February, date to be announced, to discuss proposed regulations.
We will also be tracking the various bills at the state level along with our climate change colleagues. Maryland Matters reports on state efforts here.
Related: It will be a big election this year - we will surely be asking about data centers - what else should we be asking the candidates in our voter survey? Let us know here.
In the background is a proposal to site a cluster of data centers on the site of the old Pepco station that will draw all its water for cooling from the Potomac. This proposal has received preliminary approval despite not having a site plan. Frederick County allies are seeking to overturn a decision to allow data centers on 1% of county land with a ballot referendum - a heavy lift that can use your help.
One bill is an effort from CMs Fani Gonzalez, Balcombe and Sayles (full text here). The other is from CM Glass. Both bills will be introduced this coming Tuesday (agenda here). The County executive intends to hold public meeting in the beginning of February, date to be announced, to discuss proposed regulations.
We will also be tracking the various bills at the state level along with our climate change colleagues. Maryland Matters reports on state efforts here.
Related: It will be a big election this year - we will surely be asking about data centers - what else should we be asking the candidates in our voter survey? Let us know here.
It was lonely in the hearing room back in 2024 - just the applicant seeking to put 7 new fangled "data centers" drawing from the Potomac and acres of battery storage - and us speaking up for the aquifer and the river. Since then, many more have come to understand how data centers can have outsized impacts and the critical importance of getting the guiderails right.
We're glad you're here, your engagement is needed.
To get up to speed quickly on the what and why of Data Centers check out this webinar.
To fuel our work to bring balance on data centers - we'd be honored by your tax deductible support.
We're glad you're here, your engagement is needed.
To get up to speed quickly on the what and why of Data Centers check out this webinar.
To fuel our work to bring balance on data centers - we'd be honored by your tax deductible support.
