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 […]
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Data Centers in Montgomery County: Now Is the Time to Speak Up
Data centers located near homes can create significant impacts if not carefully planned and regulated. What is happening at the County Council? The Council is deciding how to deploy data centers in the county. There are two proposals on the table: 1) Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-01, which would amend the zoning code to allow data centers in industrial zones. While it is a good start, it is missing many needed protections for residents. 2) […]
Continue readingMontgomery County Residents Speak Out on Data Centers at Feb. 3, 2026 Community Forum
Montgomery County is actively considering policies that would shape whether, and how, large-scale data centers are developed here, after recent conditional use approvals raised questions about how such projects are reviewed in the absence of clear, data-center-specific standards. While often described as neutral infrastructure or “just warehouses,” these facilities bring profound implications for energy use, water, land use, the balance of power between corporate operators and local government, public process, and long-term governance. On February […]
Continue readingVoting and Advocacy Guide to 2024 Legislative Session— Historical Resident Engagement Summary
This page documents resident engagement strategies and bill summaries related to the 2024 Maryland legislative session. It is provided for historical reference only and does not reflect current action opportunities. Repost from MD 4 Safe Tech Saturday, February 10, 2024 Summary of legislation (download pdf version here) What you can do: HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY HB 505 / SB 682 increases oversight of the political activities of public utilities. The bill a) expands the list […]
Continue readingTake 1 Minute Action to Strengthen Cell Tower Rules! (By 3/31/23)
20 years ago. March 25, 2003. That was the last time the County updated its rules for reviewing cell tower applications. And the process is notoriously opaque and residents are largely excluded from participating. Thankfully, the County Executive is now proposing to revise these outdated regulations. Click here BEFORE the deadline this Friday, March 31, to urge the County Executive to propose meaningful reform in how the County reviews applications — and bring greater transparency […]
Continue readingMark your calendar! Oct 11 (New date) Rally to Stop Cell Towers 30 Feet From Homes Meet at 11:30 am, Tuesday, Oct. 11th
UPDATED MEDIA ADVISORY: NEW DATE DUE TO WEATHER “No Cell Towers 30 Feet from Homes!” – Residents to Rally At Montgomery County Council Building Oct. 11th at 11:30 am Mark your calendar! Oct. 11th (new date) Rally to Stop Cell Towers 30 Feet From Homes ***RALLY RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER*** Check back on this webpage (https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-zta-22-01) for updates to our Rally plans to stop the proposed ZTA 22-01! Meet at 11:30 am, Tuesday, Oct. 11th […]
Continue readingElection Alert: Electronic touchscreen ballots divide candidate choices up via second screens not available unless clicked
A problem has already been reported with voting on the touchscreen for (some) races with multiple candidates in that the voter has to view two screens to see all of the names of candidates running for that position. When there’s a split screen, make sure to click again to see the second screen. Many of the candidates themselves are unaware of these screen issues. David Lublin of Seventh State has also alerted that the electronic ballot divides the candidates on two pages […]
Continue readingURGENT: Act Now to Give the Public a Voice in Licensing of Wireless Facilities on Poles
The County recently released a draft Pole Attachment License Agreement (PLA) that would provide authorization for companies to attach wireless facilities on or in existing or replacement County-owned streetlight poles. Because a licensee can request authorization to attach to any streetlight pole, the PLA poses significant impacts for residents and County at-large. The PLA was released on the Transmission Facilities Coordination Group (TFCG) web page with little or no public notice and only three weeks […]
Continue readingWireless Safety Standards Should Protect People and Wildlife – Take Action – Join EHT’s Campaign
Archived News and Action alert (2021) This post is preserved as part of the public record and historical documentation of community engagement at that time. For broader regulatory and governance context, see: U.S. safety limits for wireless radiation have not been reviewed for over 25 years. In August, a landmark federal court ruled that the FCC did not adequately review all the evidence when the FCC refused to update its 1996 wireless radiation exposure limits. […]
Continue readingBreaking News & Action Alert: County Executive Calls For Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Working Group For Cell Towers Siting in Residential Areas
“My staff and I have talked with many residents and industry representatives, and we have found them to be knowledgeable and willing to help improve the process. I would like to propose that we convene a working group comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry, residents, municipalities and homeowner/tenant associations and/or non-profit organizations. Staff support would be provided by Executive and Council staff. The group would have a limited time – perhaps 75 […]
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