Infrastructure and zoning decisions at the local and federal levels shape Montgomery County communities. Public participation remains one of the few ways residents can influence those outcomes.
Below are current opportunities for civic engagement related to wireless siting, federal telecommunications legislation, and data center development.
This page last reviewed 7/18/2026.
Action Alert: Support a Two-Year Data Center Moratorium
Updated July 18, 2026
Following strong public testimony and advocacy from residents across Montgomery County, the County Council is now considering a significant change in direction on data center policy.
Council committees are expected to consider:
- A six-month moratorium proposal
- A two-year moratorium proposal
- An amendment to ZTA 26-01 that would define hyperscale data centers and prohibit them while permanent regulations are developed.
Residents are encouraged to continue contacting Councilmembers in support of a two-year pause and stronger protections before additional data center expansion is approved.
Take Action
- Contact your Montgomery County Councilmember.
- Attend or watch the upcoming Council committee meetings, Wednesday, July 22nd if possible.
- See exact schedule for July 22 on Council’s website, as it may change. Location: Council Hearing Room on the 3rd Floor, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. If you are not able to join us in person, watch the work session here.
- Stay informed through Tech Wise and our partner organizations.
Learn More
- Montgomery Countryside Alliance Action Alert
- Montgomery County Council Meeting Schedule
Action Alert: Support a Statewide Data Center Pause
Montgomery County residents aren’t the only ones seeking time to develop thoughtful data center policy.
Following New York’s approval of a temporary statewide pause on certain data center development, advocates are encouraging Maryland legislators to consider similar action during the upcoming special legislative session.
Residents can contact their Maryland State Senator and ask lawmakers to support a statewide pause while environmental, energy, water, and community impacts are fully evaluated.
Take Action
- Contact your Maryland State Senator.
- Ask legislators to support a statewide moratorium while comprehensive standards are developed.
Learn More
Maryland Climate Coalition Action Alert
June 16 Data Center Hearing Had a Large Public Turnout — There is Still Time to Pack the Testimony Record Before it Closes June 26th.
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)
Urgent Federal Action: Stop H.R. 2289
The Congressional bill that would fast-track cell towers in front of homes is advancing to a full House vote.
This is an urgent update. We just learned that H.R. 2289, the American Broadband Deployment Act, has now been placed on the House Union Calendar (No. 532), meaning it has cleared committee and is headed to the full House floor.
The House Rules Committee will meet on April 20 at 4 PM to set debate rules, then the bill can move quickly to a final vote. If it passes, it goes to the Senate.
This tool created by Environmental Health Sciences allows you to customize the letter in your own words.
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Data Centers In Montgomery County Action Alert:
This tool allows you to customize the letter in your own words.
Other actions you can take:
- Click here to submit your comments as written testimony on the record. Deadline is Friday, February 27, 5 PM.
- Call your councilmembers and urge them to pause deployment until our amendments are incorporated
- Share this information with your friends and neighbors
START WRITING to email the Council
See related post: Montgomery County Residents Speak Out on Data Centers at Feb. 3, 2026 Community Forum
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Data Centers In Montgomery County Action Alert:
This tool allows you to customize the letter in your own words.
See related post: Montgomery County Residents Speak Out on Data Centers at Feb. 3, 2026 Community Forum (Includes information on the February 24th ZTA hearing.
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Sign the Petition Regarding ZTA 19-07 and ZTA 22-01
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07 and ZTA 22-01 modified Montgomery County’s wireless siting rules, including setback standards that permit certain telecommunications towers and antennas in closer proximity to residential properties.
Residents have raised concerns about:
- Towers located as close as 30 feet from homes in some circumstances
- Reduced neighborhood notice and limited public hearing opportunities
- The cumulative impact of distributed antenna infrastructure
- The balance between federal mandates and local zoning authority
These amendments represent a significant shift from earlier tower review processes that involved more robust conditional use review and public participation.
Montgomery County residents are currently urging the County Council to:
- Repeal ZTA 19-07 and ZTA 22-01
- Restore stronger setback protections for residential neighborhoods
- Reform wireless zoning regulations with meaningful resident input
- Ensure transparency and oversight in future infrastructure decisions
Read all posts tagged “ZTA 19-07” and “ZTA 22-01“.
Federal Action: HR 2289 and Expanding Telecom Preemption
Updated December 8, 2025
HR 2289 has advanced out of the House Energy & Commerce Committee on a 26–24 party-line vote and is now pending consideration by the full House.
The legislation would significantly expand federal preemption over wireless infrastructure siting. Similar proposals in prior sessions of Congress have sought to limit or override state and local authority over placement of wireless facilities.
Local civic organizations have previously raised concerns about federal overreach. For example, the West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA) submitted a formal letter to the FCC addressing federal preemption and local siting authority. Their letter emphasized the importance of preserving meaningful local oversight and community input.
HR 2289 continues this broader national trend toward centralized telecom decision-making.
If enacted, the bill could further restrict the ability of Montgomery County and other local governments to regulate antenna placement in residential neighborhoods.