Montgomery County Halts New Data Center Permits for 6 Months as Council Drafts Rules
Updated
Updated · BethesdaMagazine.com · Jun 12
Montgomery County Halts New Data Center Permits for 6 Months as Council Drafts Rules
3 articles · Updated · BethesdaMagazine.com · Jun 12
Summary
Marc Elrich’s executive order bars Montgomery County’s permitting department for six months from accepting, processing or considering applications for new data centers, or until the council adopts legislation sooner.
Elrich said the pause is meant to buy time for rules on noise, carbon emissions, water use and other impacts before projects move through a permitting system he says lacks clear standards.
The order does not stop the Montgomery Planning Board from reviewing proposals, including Atmosphere Data Centers’ five-building Dickerson campus at a former coal plant, though any project without permits could face new zoning limits.
The move lands in an active political fight: Evan Glass welcomed support for a pause he had pushed, while Will Jawando backs a separate 2-year moratorium and Friedson has not endorsed one.
Public hearings on Glass’ and Jawando’s moratorium bills are set for Tuesday, and the renewable order could be extended by the next county executive after the June 23 Democratic primary.