Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST

Maryland Data Center Policy

Coverage from WBFF, The Daily Record, and others

Maryland Data Center Policy topic image

Maryland’s data-center policy brings state review, local land-use decisions, and infrastructure concerns together in determining how projects are developed and sited.

A state task force evaluates large proposals for issues such as electricity costs and grid impacts, water use, environmental effects, jobs, and community engagement; its assessments can inform state permitting coordination and discretionary support. Public reporting and transparency are part of the framework, while local governments retain authority over land-use approvals. Tax incentives and the costs and benefits of development are also central policy questions.

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History
10/13/2026

The local response now includes an outright Harford County ban, and Moore says he would sign a statewide pause or ban if lawmakers approve one. Neither a statewide restriction nor the planned tax-exemption repeal has been enacted.

All Articles13 articles
Important2 articles · CI Score 60 and above
WBFF
Maryland counties and Baltimore City imposed pauses, moratoria or bans on new data centers in 2020s response to concerns about farmland, energy demand, water use and local impacts.
8/27/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Daily Record / Hannah Gaskill
Maryland lawmakers and local officials discussed data center moratoriums, electricity costs, and grid interconnection rules Wednesday at a conference in Ocean City, Maryland.
8/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Interesting5 articles · CI Score 45–59
Venable LLP / Kedrick Whitmore, Matthew J. Allman, Noah B. Klein, Zachary G. Williams
Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued an executive order on September 23 establishing a statewide accountability review for large data center projects in Maryland.
9/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Maryland Matters / Christine Condon
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore established a state task force under an executive order to assess large data center proposals across Maryland, while local governments retain final approval authority.
9/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Banner
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued an executive order Wednesday establishing statewide review standards for proposed data centers in Maryland while leaving siting decisions to local governments.
9/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Maryland Regulations
Maryland established a statewide task force under an executive order to review large data center projects and guide state permitting and support decisions across Maryland.
1/1/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
The Baltimore Banner
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a new data center review process last week in Maryland amid county moratoriums and growing environmental and community concerns.
10/1/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Additional6 articles · CI Score below 45
WBAL-TV / Julian Nazario
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order in Maryland establishing task force review and disclosure rules for large data center proposals.
9/23/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
WYPR
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore established a data center accountability task force in Maryland as local opposition and concerns about electricity, water, and land use grow.
9/23/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Maryland Matters / Christine Condon
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Wednesday in Annapolis a state task force to assess large data center proposals while leaving final siting decisions to local governments.
9/23/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
GovTech
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore established a statewide review framework through an executive order for large data center projects seeking state action or support in Maryland.
9/24/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Maryland Tech Council
The Maryland Tech Council hosted a data center summit on August 20 in Maryland as local governments paused permitting to develop siting rules and address economic, grid, and community concerns.
8/26/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
The Daily Record / Mark R. Smith
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore established a data center task force as local moratoriums and opposition reshape development decisions across Maryland.
9/29/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General