Annapolis, MD — Today, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Utility RELIEF Act. The bill incentivizes the buildout of dangerous methane gas and nuclear power plants for AI data centers. The Governor Moore-backed bill calls for a study to determine 50 new sites for energy generation across the state and defines multiple pathways for data center state approvals. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk, where he is very likely to sign it 

In response to today’s vote Food & Water Watch Maryland Organizer Jomar Lloyd issued the following statement:  

“Governor Moore and the legislature traded short term gains for long term pains, all to roll out the welcome mat for Big Tech. Encouraging expensive nuclear and gas power plants to facilitate energy-hungry AI data centers is counterintuitive to the aim of lowering electricity bills and will cost Marylanders much more over the long run.

“It’s mystifying to see Gov. Moore take a victory lap around supposed affordable energy legislation while championing the costly A.I. data center industry in the state. Marylanders will only achieve affordable energy by pausing new data center proposals, not by passing legislation that facilitates a path for the buildout of AI facilities, transmission lines and energy stations to power them.”  In October, Food & Water Watch became the first national group to call for a data center moratorium. Over 250+ organizations have since joined the call.