County Takes First Step to 18-month Pause on Data Centers
Updated July 23, 2026
A County Council committee on July 22 voted to support an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers. None can be approved, and no applications for data centers can be processed during the moratorium and before the County develops zoning rules regulating them.
The measure encompasses the proposal by a company called Atmosphere to build a 110-acre, 5-building data center campus in Dickerson.
The measure now goes to the full Council for a vote on July 28. It is expected to be approved as more than six Council members have already indicated their support.
The committee also adopted a definition of “large-scale” or “hyperscale” data centers to clarify the kind of facility it seeks to stop for now.
The 18-month pause period is intended to allow the Council to thoroughly evaluate the risks posed by large data centers, and to draft regulations that will specify where they can be built and what rules they have to abide by.
There’s existing tension in that space already. Atmosphere released an updated plan and analysis of the issues in play on July 20. The company is saying it will likely be unable to meet certain desires and requests from County lawmakers and advocacy groups.
In particular, some County officials would like to see aggressive efforts to use cleaner renewable energy to power the facility, if it ultimately gets approval. The company is asserting that the mix of power sources for the data center will not be able to meet “unrealistic” renewable goals. Issues around water use (from the Potomac River), noise, the role of the facility’s diesel generators and other challenges also need understanding and addressing.
The moratorium development is a clear victory for County residents’ advocacy. On June 16, some 80 people testified at a public hearing on the issue; the vast majority supported a moratorium of up to 2 years. Hundreds of other citizens have submitted written comments in recent months, which also overwhelmingly supported a moratorium.
Montgomery County, with this action, becomes the latest jurisdiction in Maryland and nationally to place pauses on data centers approvals. The reasons are now quite straightforward: lawmakers and citizens alike are just beginning to understand this complex technology and its significant scope and potential impact (positive and negative).
Many jurisdictions now realize they must involve outside independent experts to help them assess data center proposals.
Assuming the 18-month moratorium is enacted, one potential downside to the delay is that a new County Council and a new County Executive (Will Jawando) will be drafting the new data center zoning ordinance. New Council members will thus face a steep learning curve on the issue.
Both the new Council and County Executive assume office at noon on Monday, December 7. (Important note: re-elected Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe will be Council President in 2027 and provide an important bridge and leadership on this issue as she has been the lead person to date drafting the zoning ordinance.)
not too late for public comments
It’s not too late to send comments to current Council members! Ask them to enact the 18-month moratorium.
County Takes First Step to 18-month Pause on Data Centers
Updated July 23, 2026
A County Council committee on July 22 voted to support an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers. None can be approved, and no applications for data centers can be processed during the moratorium and before the County develops zoning rules regulating them.
The measure encompasses the proposal by a company called Atmosphere to build a 110-acre, 5-building data center campus in Dickerson.
The measure now goes to the full Council for a vote on July 28. It is expected to be approved as more than six Council members have already indicated their support.
The committee also adopted a definition of “large-scale” or “hyperscale” data centers to clarify the kind of facility it seeks to stop for now.
The 18-month pause period is intended to allow the Council to thoroughly evaluate the risks posed by large data centers, and to draft regulations that will specify where they can be built and what rules they have to abide by.
There’s existing tension in that space already. Atmosphere released an updated plan and analysis of the issues in play on July 20. The company is saying it will likely be unable to meet certain desires and requests from County lawmakers and advocacy groups.
In particular, some County officials would like to see aggressive efforts to use cleaner renewable energy to power the facility, if it ultimately gets approval. The company is asserting that the mix of power sources for the data center will not be able to meet “unrealistic” renewable goals. Issues around water use (from the Potomac River), noise, the role of the facility’s diesel generators and other challenges also need understanding and addressing.
The moratorium development is a clear victory for County residents’ advocacy. On June 16, some 80 people testified at a public hearing on the issue; the vast majority supported a moratorium of up to 2 years. Hundreds of other citizens have submitted written comments in recent months, which also overwhelmingly supported a moratorium.
Montgomery County, with this action, becomes the latest jurisdiction in Maryland and nationally to place pauses on data centers approvals. The reasons are now quite straightforward: lawmakers and citizens alike are just beginning to understand this complex technology and its significant scope and potential impact (positive and negative).
Many jurisdictions now realize they must involve outside independent experts to help them assess data center proposals.
Assuming the 18-month moratorium is enacted, one potential downside to the delay is that a new County Council and a new County Executive (Will Jawando) will be drafting the new data center zoning ordinance. New Council members will thus face a steep learning curve on the issue.
Both the new Council and County Executive assume office at noon on Monday, December 7. (Important note: re-elected Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe will be Council President in 2027 and provide an important bridge and leadership on this issue as she has been the lead person to date drafting the zoning ordinance.)
not too late for public comments
It’s not too late to send comments to current Council members! Ask them to enact the 18-month moratorium.
Please visit Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA) and Climate Coalition Montgomery County for information on how to contact your elected representatives. Both sites have background information as well.
We also welcome your comments to us directly at info@sugarloafcitizens.org.