On January 5, 2026 the County Council of Baltimore County unanimously passed Bill no. 3-26 which prevents the county from approving development plans or zoning petitions for data centers until January 1, 2027 or 90 days after the Planning Board submits the report required by this legislation. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and submit its report no later than October 1, 2026 in which it will analyze the environmental, economic, public health, and public utility effects of data centers.
Thanks to Councilman Pat Young for proposing the moratorium and to the Baltimore County Council for taking steps to understand and mitigate the potential effects of these centers on our communities and the environment.