Green Party Gubernatorial Candidates Advocate for Statewide Data Center Construction Ban

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The Green Party campaign for Maryland Governor and Lieutenant Governor, led by candidates Andy Ellis and Taylor Frazier-McCollum, is calling for a statewide prohibition on the permitting and construction of new data centers, through adding the proposal to a ballot question in an upcoming election cycle. This initiative stems from growing resident concerns across Maryland regarding the environmental, climatic, energy, water, noise, and land use impacts associated with the rapid expansion of these facilities.

Across the state, some local communities and county governments are expressing opposition to the proliferation of large-scale data centers. While some local jurisdictions are enacting bans or temporary moratoriums, others are reportedly engaging in non-disclosure agreements with the data center industry. The current decentralized approach to addressing these issues is attributed to state-level policies that have actively encouraged the data center industry’s growth. In 2020, then-Governor Larry Hogan, with bipartisan support, introduced tax incentives for new data centers. Subsequently, in 2024, Governor Wes Moore championed deregulation and streamlined permitting processes through the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act, a move he stated would significantly boost the data center sector. The Moore administration also vetoed proposed legislation in 2025 that would have mandated studies on data center impacts and established a statewide framework for regulating their energy consumption. Despite a series of bills aimed at regulating data center development during the 2026 legislative session, efforts have largely resulted in recommendations for voluntary industry actions and a belated focus on energy usage. The prevailing legislative trend has continued to support the expansion of the data center industry rather than implement substantial regulatory measures.

The Ellis/Andrews campaign argues that a statewide ban is the most effective solution to what they describe as a “crisis.” Their reasoning centers on three key points. Firstly, while county-level opposition is essential, it is ultimately insufficient. The campaign contends that relying on individual counties to manage these issues allows the state to shirk its responsibilities, potentially leading to the industry exploiting divisions between localities. Furthermore, a patchwork of local bans may prompt state authorities to override local control and impose statewide directives. Secondly, the campaign asserts that the current state policy, which aims to attract the industry while simultaneously attempting to regulate it, is unworkable within the existing political landscape. They suggest that political leaders, driven by revenue goals, have historically allowed industries to influence regulatory frameworks that benefit them, citing examples in surveillance pricing, sports betting, and other sectors. Lastly, the campaign views moratoriums as an inadequate response. They believe that moratoriums imply an underlying acceptance of the industry’s presence and a mere desire for more time to establish regulations, which they argue only allows the industry to strategize and consolidate its position. The data center lobby, according to the campaign, has consistently prioritized its financial interests, and current political leadership is deemed incapable of effective regulation of such industries. A ban, in their view, begins from a position of necessary distrust towards both the industry and the politicians promising oversight.

The campaign emphasizes that a ban would not be a permanent cessation but rather a necessary starting point. They propose that if the state eventually develops robust regulatory mechanisms that truly serve the public good, the industry could be reconsidered under strict oversight. However, they maintain that any such reconsideration must originate from a position of strength established by an initial ban. The Ellis/Andrews campaign plans to focus its efforts throughout the summer and the remainder of the election season on two primary fronts: supporting local initiatives to halt data center construction in various counties and urging local movements, elected officials, and non-profit organizations to join their call for a statewide ban. The campaign intends to leverage its platform to ensure this issue is presented to Maryland voters in the upcoming November elections, believing that a significant portion of the state’s population opposes the current approach to data center development.

The proposal for a statewide ban on new data center construction could have significant implications for Maryland residents. Should such a ban be enacted, it would directly address concerns about environmental impact, water usage, energy consumption, and land use that have been raised by communities. The campaign’s stance suggests a fundamental shift in state policy, moving away from incentivizing industry growth toward prioritizing environmental and community well-being. Residents concerned about the potential negative externalities of data centers may find this proposal aligns with their priorities. Conversely, the data center industry and associated economic development interests may view such a ban as detrimental to job creation and technological advancement within the state. The campaign’s commitment to bringing this issue to the ballot signifies a direct effort to empower voters to decide on the future of data center development in Maryland.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Ellis/Andrews campaign.

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