Baltimore City Considers Moratorium on Data Center Development

City Council President Zeke Cohen proposes a one-year pause to study data centers' impact on utility costs and the environment.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 1:47am

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Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen has introduced legislation to impose a one-year moratorium on data center development in the city. Cohen cites concerns about data centers' impact on utility costs for residents and the environment, particularly water usage and its effect on the Chesapeake Bay. During the proposed moratorium, the city would study how to best regulate data centers going forward.

Why it matters

Data centers have been popping up across the U.S., including in the Baltimore area, as demand for cloud computing and digital infrastructure grows. However, these large energy users have raised concerns about their strain on local utility grids and natural resources. The proposed moratorium aims to give Baltimore time to assess the costs and benefits of data center development before allowing more projects to move forward.

The details

Cohen's legislation seeks to pause any new data center projects in Baltimore for one year. This would allow time for a state-authorized study to establish a process for registering and regulating "large load customers" like data centers. Cohen argues these facilities should have to pay their fair share of grid upgrades and not pass costs on to residential and small business customers struggling with rising utility bills. Environmental advocates like Celine Brundridge also support the moratorium due to concerns about data centers' water usage and impact on the Chesapeake Bay.

  • The Baltimore City Council is expected to review Cohen's legislation and hold a hearing on it in the coming weeks.

The players

Zeke Cohen

Baltimore City Council President who introduced the legislation to pause data center development.

Celine Brundridge

Ridgely's Delight resident who supports the moratorium due to concerns about data centers' water usage and environmental impact.

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)

The local utility company that has faced opposition to a new transmission line project to support data centers, though BGE says the upgrades are necessary for improved reliability.

Bill Ferguson

Maryland Senate President who introduced legislation to ban data centers in certain zones.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's really important that these large, load-bearing customers pay their own way.”

— Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City Council President

“I know that data centers tend to use up a lot of water, which makes it harder for local residents as well as also warming up the temperatures in the water — which is not good for the ecological systems in the (Chesapeake Bay).”

— Celine Brundridge, Ridgely's Delight resident

What’s next

Cohen's legislation will go to committee for review and receive a hearing in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Baltimore's proposed moratorium on new data center development reflects growing concerns about the strain these large energy users can place on local utility grids and the environment. The one-year pause would allow the city to study the issue more closely and establish a framework for regulating data centers before allowing more projects to move forward.