Baltimore County Planning Board: Meeting and Public Input Meeting on Data Centers, May 21, 2026

The Baltimore County Planning Board held a public input meeting on May 21, 2026, focused on data centers in the county. This meeting was part of the board's response to County Council Bill 326, which mandates a report on data centers by October 1, 2026, including assessments of electricity and water usage, economic benefits, and policy recommendations such as eligibility for grants or tax credits and labor agreements. A moratorium on permits and approvals for data centers is in place until January 1, 2027, or 90 days after the report submission. The meeting featured extensive public testimony expressing concerns about the environmental, economic, and community impacts of hyperscale data centers, particularly regarding water consumption, energy demand, noise pollution, and effects on overburdened communities. Speakers urged strict regulations, including prohibitions on data centers in certain areas, requirements for renewable energy use, and opposition to tax incentives. Some testimony highlighted potential economic benefits such as job creation and tax revenue, while many others emphasized the need to prioritize community health and environmental justice. The Planning Board will consider this input in drafting their report and recommendations to the County Council.