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 - not to mention concerns like outsized power use, noise and air quality.  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, properties in every council district) but needs time to add amendments to address water use, noise, power use and air quality.

County Executive Elrich just signed a 6 month pause on permitting from the executive branch. We need a longer pause on the legislative side to spend the time needed to get this right. MCA and our partners support Expedited Bill 24-26 that would enact  an immediate 2 year moratorium on data centers. Not only do we need the pause - the pause needs to be proactive - stakeholder engagement, research and analysis need to be completed thoughtfully and in the public view as strong regulations are crafted. We are pushing for this to be spelled out in the bill before passage.

The Data Center Moratorium Bill just had a public hearing on 6/16 (wrap up and video here) - thanks to all that submitted testimony and packed the room - we now need to pack the hearing record - the deadline is 6/26 Click "start writing" to add your voice.

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 - probably one near you. Check out the detailed mapping here.

Our thanks to our partners - the Montgomery County Climate Coalition, Food and Water Watch, the Democratic Socialists of America MoCo, and the MoCo Sierra Club.