Data Centers

Lobbying for data center reform in Annapolis

Data Center Lobby Day in Annapolis, March 11, 2026. All photos on this page from Marylanders for Data Reform/Nature Forward, used with permission.

  • UPDATE: The Maryland Legislative Session ended on April 13, and significant progress was made on data center regulation in Maryland! 
  • Rather than individual bills passing, the key measures we advocated for were included in the Utility RELIEF Act. They include:
    • New tariff definition for a large load customer (25MW and 60% load factor) 
    • New large load registry program that will better address phantom loads 
    • New Voluntary Clean Capacity Rating Program. This will establish a Demand Response program that encourages data centers to bring and pay for their own clean energy to include battery storage and non-emitting sources.
    • Ratepayer protections. Data centers will pay for transmission, distribution, interconnection, and new capacity costs 
    • Prohibit the construction of data centers in some areas of Baltimore City
  • Here is the press release: Statement from Environmental Advocates on Data Center Provisions in the Utility RELIEF Act

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At the Maryland Chapter of Sierra Club, we envision a Maryland where all people have clean air to breathe; where homes, schools, and workplaces are safe and healthy; and where our energy system is strong, equitable, and affordable. We believe that protecting our air, water, land, and wildlife for future generations means making bold, systemic changes now — shifting from fossil fuels to 100% clean, renewable energy across our buildings and power grid.

Within that framework, the Data Center Team at the Maryland Chapter focuses on the need for data center reform, accountability, and impact mitigation.

The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club is a member of the Marylanders for Data Center Reform coalition. The coalition is focused on state level policy and on advocacy in Maryland, in collaboration with local and regional partners. This page draws heavily on coalition resources.

Rally in Annapolis

Background

Data centers, constructed to meet the surging demand for computing power for artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and other uses, are placing unprecedented strain on the state’s energy grid, land, water resources, and the health of local communities. 

While data centers serve legitimate needs in modern society, the current pace and unchecked scale of their development threaten ratepayers, environmental goals, and quality of life. For example, PJM Interconnection (our regional grid operator) projects 32 GW of load growth between now and 2030. Data centers account for approximately 30 GW of that growth—representing 94% of the projected demand increase. (Source: PJM, 2025)

We recognize the vital importance of data centers in our society, and we believe that they must be built in a way that mitigates their negative impacts.

Why This Matters

Maryland currently has 45 data centers operated by 19 providers. 13 new data centers are being proposed and a majority of them are hyperscale located in underserved and overburdened areas of the state. There are active proposals to build hyperscale data centers in Frederick, Prince George’s, Charles, and Montgomery Counties. (Source: Baxtel, 2026)

One hyperscale data center consumes as much energy as approximately 800,000 residential homes and consumes as much as 5 million gallons of water per day to cool its machinery.

The buildout of data centers and the transmission lines to power them are driving up Maryland customer energy bills. The data center backup diesel generators are polluting the air. Data centers are also being built too close to communities, including already overburdened and underserved ones. 

We are deeply concerned about the impacts of data center development on communities, habitats, ratepayers, water and air quality, and land use decisions.

Button on backpack, No blank check for big tech

What We're Doing

The Maryland Chapter's Data Center Team is involved in legislative advocacy and support for county and local grassroots efforts related to data center transparency, sustainability, and impact mitigation. 

For example, we 

  • meet regularly to stay up to date on the latest developments in data centers in Maryland

  • write bill testimony, such as these recent examples (HB 940/SB 596 – Large Load Customers – Electric System Interconnection and Demand Response Program; HB 1411 – Data Center Planning and Transparency Act)

  • advocate for Marylanders for Data Center Reform coalition priority bills

  • ask our legislators to write bills that protect people and planet from the negative impacts of hyperscale data centers

  • participate in rallies (photos)

  • attend state and local hearings related to data centers, and 

  • support local efforts for data center transparency, sustainability, and impact mitigation.

People holding signs at data center rally, 2026

How You Can Help

To join our regular meetings and our efforts, please reach out to Gary Young at gary.young@mdsierra.org to get connected. 

Write to your legislators about the General Assembly 2026 data center bills here!

Additional Resources

Articles

  1. Why the data center industry came to Dickerson (4/6/2026)

  2. Study: Data center growth adds to ‘perfect storm’ of risk to Potomac River drinking water supply - WTOP News (3/31/2026)

  3. Local Opposition Is Slowing A.I. Data Centers. Wall Street Has Noticed. - The New York Times (3/26/2026)

  4. Precedent-setting Pa. rate case would protect residential electricity customers from data center costs in PPL territory - WHYY (3/23/2026)

  5. Farm owner turns down staggering $15 million offer from data center developer: 'I love this land' (3/21/2026)

  6. US views of how data centers affect the environment, energy costs, jobs and more | Pew Research Center (3/12/2026)

  7. Why your power bill is spiking faster than a nearby data center’s - Washington Post (1/15/2026)

  8. The data center rebellion is here, and it’s reshaping the political landscape - Washington Post (1/6/2026)

  9. In 2026, more data center regulations could be coming in Maryland - Maryland Matters (1/3/2026)

  10. Updated: State legislature overrides Moore veto, enacts data center analysis bill - fredericknewspost.com (12/16/2025)

  11. Data Centers, An Important Emerging Issue in Maryland - Sierra Club (3/28/2024)

Reports

  1. The Impacts of Unconstrained Data Center Growth | Sierra Club

  2. Demanding Better Report | Sierra Club

  3. Data Center State Policies, 2026 | Sierra Club

Videos

  1. Webinar: Data Centers: Power Plays - But Who Pays?

Toolkits and Action Resources

  1. Data Centers | Sierra Club (National Sierra Club's website on data centers, including many resources for state and local action)

  2. Data Centers & Energy Demand - The Piedmont Environmental Council

  3. Electricity Affordability and Reliability Impacts ǀ State Policy Toolkits for Data Center Regulation - Climate XChange

  4. Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of vast data centers

  5. Datacenter impacts on Municipal Energy, Water, and Air Systems

  6. Contact us for more!