Charles County, MD — Yesterday evening, the Charles County Planning Commission heard dozens of public comments opposing county zoning text amendments that would allow data centers. The zoning regulations would allow plans like TeraWulf’s planned hyperscale data centers to be built in the county.

A motion by Commissioner Jeff Bossart to deny the proposed Zoning Text Amendments passed unanimously. Concerns over the proposed amendments include deficiencies in addressing noise pollution, environmental and social equity studies, size limitations on data centers.

A packed room of residents and advocates called for a data center moratorium at the hearing, echoing Food & Water Watch’s call — the first organization to call for a nationwide moratorium. Baltimore City Council passed a one-year data center moratorium last month and Montgomery County is considering six-month and two-year moratoria.

In response, Maryland Organizer for Food & Water Watch Jomar Lloyd, who testified at last night’s hearing,issued the following statement:

“It’s beyond unreasonable for Charles County officials to side with Big Tech developers in promoting data centers. Counties and localities lack a full understanding of what all the negative impacts these facilities will have. Any move to push through the development of these energy-hungry, water-guzzling facilities is irresponsible and a threat to the health of communities and their resources.

“The Planning Commission’s poorly thought out recommendations underscores why Food & Water Watch’s call for a moratorium is so important. County commissioners must pump the brakes on this reckless development until we understand if — not how — data centers can coexist with the needs of Marylanders, not speed ahead development at Big Tech’s behest.”

In April, Food & Water Watch released a first-of-its-kind report detailing the harms of the AI and data center boom infiltrating communities around the country.

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