County Executive Bob Cassilly Proposes Legislation to Permanently Ban Data Centers in Harford County

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly announced today that his administration has formally submitted legislation to the Harford County Council that would permanently prohibit data centers in Harford County.

The proposed legislation comes in response to recent discussions surrounding a proposed County Council moratorium bill regarding data centers and comments made during those discussions suggesting that Harford County should establish zoning classifications and “guardrails” which could allow such facilities in the future.

“Over the last year, my administration has been approached by parties interested in bringing data centers to Harford County,” said County Executive Cassilly. “We have carefully researched the impacts these facilities have had on communities across the country, and it is clear that Data Centers are not appropriate for Harford County.”

County Executive Bob Cassilly said his administration became increasingly concerned following Council President Vincenti’s invitation for a pro data center advocacy group, the Data Center Alliance, to make a present before the County Council, as well as the council’s introduction of proposed moratorium legislation that could open the door to future efforts to formally authorize data centers through zoning code amendments.

“The discussion surrounding the moratorium bill created what many residents viewed as the opening of Pandora’s Box,” Cassilly said. “When Councilman Bennett, the sponsor, publicly stated that the moratorium is to give county officials time to research those facilities and draft legislation to regulate them, it became clear that stronger action was necessary. Rather than creating a legislative pathway for these projects, my administration is proposing to ban them outright.”

The Cassilly administration’s concerns regarding the potential impacts of data centers, including massive energy consumption, strain on infrastructure, environmental impacts, noise, water usage, and incompatibility with Harford County’s communities and quality of life. Energy consumption is of particular concern given Maryland’s green energy policies that have caused significant reductions in Maryland’s in-state energy production capacity.

Under current law, data centers are not specifically permitted within the Harford County Zoning Code. The legislation submitted would codify a permanent prohibition so that such facilities cannot be approved administratively or through future interpretation of the zoning code.

“My priority is protecting the citizens of Harford County by ensuring future growth aligns with the health, welfare, values and expectations of our residents,” County Executive Cassilly said. “This legislation sends a clear message that Harford County is not interested in becoming a regional hub for data center development.”

The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced before the Harford County Council for consideration at a future meeting.