Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he would "absolutely sign" a statewide moratorium on data center development if lawmakers sent him one. Thirteen of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions have implemented temporary bans on data center development, among them Baltimore, Worcester, Calvert, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the last two bordering Washington, D.C.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he would sign a statewide data center moratorium
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he would "absolutely sign" a statewide moratorium on data center development if lawmakers sent him one. Thirteen of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions have implemented temporary bans on data center development, among them Baltimore, Worcester, Calvert, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the last two bordering Washington, D.C.
Moore's remarks came in an interview with Punchbowl News's Mikenzie Frost, who asked: "If the statewide moratorium bill lands on your desk in 2027, would you sign it?" Moore answered "Yes," and said local jurisdictions should have a say and should not be dictated to, while adding that he has "very strict guidelines of what's going to actually get state approval and state authority."
Moore, who faces reelection in November against former state Del. Dan Cox (R), has previously urged data centers in Maryland to bring their own energy resources and meet environmental regulations, largely leaving decisions about data centers to local officials, Maryland Matters reported in August.
At the federal level, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) on Thursday blocked a Republican-led bill that would have states consider requiring technology companies to cover increased electricity costs from their operations.
Also on Thursday, New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland (D) announced she backed a moratorium. New Mexico has 21 operational data centers, with one under construction, five planned, one paused and one inactive, according to the U.S. Data Center Map.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Monday directed the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers found not to enforce state requirements on water usage or face criminal consequences. Those centers would become ineligible to receive permits or renewals from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
President Trump has said data centers must pay for their own water and power consumption, and in July criticized New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) over a statewide freeze on data center development.
- The source does not state whether a statewide data center moratorium bill has been introduced in Maryland or who would sponsor it.
- The source does not state the length, terms or expiration dates of the temporary moratoriums adopted by the 13 Maryland jurisdictions.
- The source does not explain why the question to Moore referred to a moratorium bill reaching his desk in 2027.
- The source does not state the name, sponsor or full provisions of the Republican-led bill that Heinrich blocked.
- The source does not state how the U.S. Data Center Map defines operational, planned, paused and inactive data centers in its count for New Mexico.
- The source does not state New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's response to Trump's July criticism or her stated rationale for New York's statewide freeze.
- The source does not state whether Dan Cox, Moore's opponent in the November election, has taken a position on data centers or moratoriums.