Commissioner vote to move forward with moratorium on data centers, cable stations
Worcester County officials are planning to pursue a one-year moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations, even as one such facility is already moving through county review.
In a 6-0 decision Tuesday, the county commissioners approved Commissioner Eric Fiori’s motion for the yearlong pause. It would not take effect until the commissioners approve it by resolution, which Fiori said will be brought up for a vote at the board’s July 21 meeting.
“We physically don’t have the resources in Worcester County to operate any of these facilities,” said Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City). “Not allowing them in any district seems like the obvious answer.”
Fiori said the pause would give the four new commissioners taking office in December about six months to study the issue before deciding what comes next.
Data centers can generate significant air pollution, run generators at 100 decibels, and could account for 90% of new power demand by 2030, according to Bob Mitchell, the county’s head of environmental programs.
He also said they have been known to use massive amounts of water and wastewater at a time when the county is struggling to keep up with wastewater demand.
“We have growth, or we have data centers,” he told the commissioners.