What’s Next? There is still time to pack the testimony record before it closes on June 26th. We need your voice to support the 2 year pause – and urge that the pause is well used to engage stakeholders in a transparent cost benefit analysis that yields strong regulations and zoning laws.
Here are two ways to be sure your voice is heard:
Write a Letter Here – use the Montgomery Countryside Alliance quick template to send an email to all the councilmembers.
Upload Written/Audio/Visual Testimony Here (the bill to reference: 24-26 and the hearing date is 6/16/2026)
June 16 was a significant day in Montgomery County’s ongoing discussion about data center development.
Earlier in the day, Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristin Mink held a press conference outside the Council Office Building in support of a proposed two-year moratorium on data center approvals. Residents and community advocates joined the event.
Later that afternoon, residents filled the County Council hearing room for a public hearing on data center proposals and related moratorium legislation.
Many speakers covered issues including electricity demand, utility costs, water use, environmental impacts, and long-term planning. Most testimony supported either a two-year moratorium or stronger restrictions on future data center development.
Learn More
Montgomery County Links
- County Council hearing video: [link]
- Montgomery Countryside Alliance has a wrap-up here about midway down the page.
- Advocates, Residents Packed Hearing to Support 2-Year Data Center Moratorium in Montgomery County, MD
- Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristin Mink June 16th press conference
- Will Yemi Jawando Instagram Post about the Press Conference (@willjawando)
Maryland Link
Federal Policy & National Developments
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), announced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, a first-of-its-kind federal bill that would prohibit new construction until a range of safeguards are in place.
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