Planning Department, Data Center Study, Interdepartmental Meeting, June 5, 2026

This Baltimore County interdepartmental meeting on June 5, 2026, focused on a data center study presented by representatives from Oppidan Investment Company. The discussion covered key procurement-related topics including the operational and environmental impacts of data centers, such as water consumption, sound levels, backup power generation, and utility interconnection costs. The presenters detailed the types of cooling technologies used, the regulatory air permitting process for diesel generators, and the financial responsibility of data center projects for transmission and distribution upgrades with local utilities like BGE. They also addressed community concerns about noise, pollutants, and transparency in the development process. While no specific contract awards or RFPs were mentioned, the meeting highlighted important considerations for future data center siting, permitting, and infrastructure investment in Baltimore County.