Maryland LCV applauds Governor Moore for his Executive Order on Responsible Data Center Development. It has become exceedingly clear that the data center industry needs more oversight. Today, the Moore Administration demonstrated strong leadership by establishing a clear roadmap to ensure ratepayers and the environment will not bear the burden of future data center development in Maryland.

The Executive Order directs State agencies to guarantee that transparency, economic investments, and community protections are in place in Maryland amid the region’s data center growth. We are especially pleased that the Task Force created in the Executive Order will consider Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions and clean energy targets as part of their assessment of data center projects. Additionally, we appreciate the Executive Order explicitly calling for an assessment of cumulative impacts of data centers and any nearby facilities.

“We are establishing clear safeguards to ensure Marylanders do not foot the bill, our people benefit, community voices are heard, and our environment is protected — all while centering transparency and accountability throughout the process.”  –Governor Wes Moore in his Executive Order on Responsible Data Center Development

Earlier this month, Maryland LCV called for a temporary pause on new hyperscale data centers in our state. While acknowledging that data centers are a feature of a growing economy and a fact of 21st century life, we believe that the pace of construction in the PJM region in recent years has been so rapid that the impacts on ratepayers, communities, and our environment have not been given full consideration.  The Executive Order takes significant steps forward to protect ratepayers and the environment while providing for economic growth in Maryland.

We look forward to working with the Governor, the Administration, and the Maryland General Assembly on the administrative and legislative actions needed to fully implement the provisions in the Executive Order.

See also: Maryland League of Conservation Voters Calls for a Temporary Pause on Data Centers