Hyperscale data centers are coming to Montgomery County

The County government is not sufficiently informed on how to craft a complete set of regulations to make sure that county residents' health and quality of life are placed ahead of data center interests. Two bills are before the County Council to require a moratorium (pause) on data center permitting, one for 6 months and the other for 2 years. Either would provide the time needed for the County to gather enough data to make informed decisions on how to regulate data centers. Join us in this action alert to tell your councilmembers that we need a moratorium now.

What is the status of the proposed hyperscale data center application?

• A proposal for a data center complex to be sited in Dickerson, MD is moving through the Montgomery County Planning Office.

• A Conditional Use Amendment Application (CU202413(a)(A)) from Terra Energy LLC was recently accepted by the Planning Department.

• The County Development Review Committee is expected to discuss it at a public meeting on June 2, 2026.

• The Public Hearing at the Planning Board, which takes public testimony, is not yet scheduled but will be held around the end of July or beginning of August

• The next step is the Public Hearing at the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearing, scheduled for September 10-11, 2026.

What is the County Council doing to regulate data centers?

The County Council’s Planning, Housing and Parks Committee will meet in June (not yet scheduled) to discuss the Zoning Text Amendment ZTA 26-01 which would allow large data centers (greater than 20 MW) in any light, medium, and heavy industrial zone in the County (see maps).

There are currently no guidelines for how data centers in Montgomery County should be developed in an environmentally sound, responsible manner. Councilmembers Balcombe, Fani Gonzalez, and Sayles sponsored Zoning Text Amendment ZTA 26-01, defining what a data center is, where it can go, and creating a limited set of zoning conditional use guidelines (see maps). The County’s own Climate Assessment states the ZTA will have “mostly indeterminate impacts related to greenhouse gas emissions except for emissions associated with electricity usage which could have major negative impacts” and they “anticipate larger negative impacts specifically to water quality and quantity”. The ZTA allows hyperscale data centers in all industrial districts in the county, regardless of proximity to neighborhoods or sensitive infrastructure such as schools or houses of worship. In addition, there is no assessment on the health impacts of data center noise, vibration and infrasound (low frequency sound below human hearing). The county clearly does not have enough information to address these issues.

How can we get the County to stand up for residents?

There are two bills before the County Council, each to enact a moratorium before data centers can be permitted. The sponsor of a 6-month moratorium is Councilmember Evan Glass. A 2-year moratorium was submitted by Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristen Mink. Additional support by four more councilmembers is needed to call for an expedited vote on these bills. Sign up here to testify on June 16th Public Hearing!

Take action today!

Use this Action Alert to reach out to your County Executive and Councilmembers to support a moratorium and ensure the Council can enact informed legislation that protects you and all residents of the county. Ask your council member about their views on allowing data centers in your neighborhood. Make your voice heard, your opinion matters!

Thank you for your support,

Climate Coalition Montgomery County

Learn more at climatecoalitionmoco.org/our-priorities/data-centers