2-Year Data Center Moratorium Passed By Prince George's County Council: Reports

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The Prince George's County Council on Tuesday passed a two-year moratorium on the development of new data centers while officials decide how to regulate the facilities, according to multiple reports.

The council approved the resolution, which will prohibit the county’s planning department from considering and approving data center applications for up to two years, The Banner and WTOP reported.

The decision by the council followed nearly an hour of public input and 30 minutes of discussion among members, WTOP reported.

“It’s important we continue to have those conversations,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said during Tuesday’s meeting. “I think this moratorium is a compromise that allows that to happen.”

Three members of the council abstained from voting, while councilmember Tim Adams voted no on the moratorium, primarily because of its length.

Prince George’s County is the latest jurisdiction in Maryland to pass restrictions on data centers, according to reports. Montgomery and Frederick counties recently issued six-month moratoriums on data center development. Officials in Washington County also approved a yearlong moratorium in June.