Data Centers are among the most water-intensive land uses ever proposed for a suburban county. Potable water is required to constantly cool computing equipment.  Currently data centers are not in the zoning code. Recently proposed ZTA 26-01 would allow them in industrial zones of the County (2000 acres) but needs amendments to address water use, noise, power use and air quality. Click "start writing" to urge the council to pass strong amendments.

At the same time - there have been two data center moratoriums proposed - one of 6 months and one of 2 years that would pause all applications until more study can be done.

More and more alarming facts are surfacing about data centers in general and the 5 proposed data centers in Dickerson specifically:

• The Potomac now flows at the lowest level in 131 years. Ask a farmer - it is dry out there and our river is rated most endangered in the country because of data centers.
• The proposed Dickerson data centers applied for a permit to withdraw a maximum of  2 Million Gallons per day of the river. By their own admission 67% of this water will be evaporated to cool their equipment - bleach will be made and stored on site above the aquifer and added to the lines.

- for much more on the Dickerson project impact on water see our infographic -

• Worries have deepend about power needs - a $1.6 Billion projected increase in power bills of Marylanders for Data Centers out of state.
  
• Also a new level of alarming - the 'noise cone' of data centers has been revised upward to include infrasound - low decibel vibrations that cause vertigo, nausea and sleep issues in both humans and animals that travel further than perceptible sound - up to 5 miles. The company proposing the Dickerson project has said a vibration study is not warranted.

All this can feel overwhelming - but now is the time to dig in and give voice to ensure that any decisions regarding allowing hyperscale data center development in Montgomery County centers protection of residents and the environment. Less bad? Not good enough.

Click "Start Writing" to personalize a letter to the Executive  Councilmembers and Planning board

Related: Where are the industrially zoned areas in the county that data centers could be sited under this ZTA - more than you'd think around 2000 acres in all parts of the county.