Counties scramble to respond to data centers, setting moratoriums, a ban

Data centers have become a contested issue in recent years, and as local governments face more opposition to the facilities, many are hitting pause: 13 counties have enacted temporary data center moratoriums to study the issue, and one has imposed a ban.

By: Mayah Nachman

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: August 10, 2026

Words: 1,438

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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Bryan Cornell lives in a house he built on his grandparents farm in Harford County. His parents live next door, and his daughter is in the next house over.

When he first heard a rumor in April that a golf course behind his property was being considered as a potential site for a data center campus, “he panicked” and even weighed selling his home. But then, he decided to push back.

He quickly teamed up …

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