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House approves study of data‑center impacts after debate over energy, power lines and incentives
Summary
The House passed House Bill 270 to require a state analysis of data‑center impacts and costs after lawmakers debated energy consumption, power‑line routes through counties and whether the study would use existing resources or add fiscal cost.
The Maryland House of Delegates on Feb. 14 approved House Bill 270, directing a state study and report on the impacts of data centers in Maryland. The clerk recorded 125 affirmative votes on final passage.
Lawmakers debated the bill’s fiscal and community impacts before voting. Delegates opposing the bill warned of rising energy costs and infrastructure burdens from data centers and questioned whether taxpayers should underwrite analysis for private industry. “We are several billion dollars in the hole at this point,” a delegate from Baltimore County said as part of his explanation for opposing the measure, adding he had worked at a data center and was concerned about energy consumption and taxpayer responsibilities.
Supporters and committee leaders said the study would be conducted with existing resources, removing the fiscal note that initially worried some members. “The study can be done with existing resources and will be done with existing resources, which removes the fiscal note,” the floor leader said; the Chair of the Economic Matters Committee emphasized that the intent was not to promote data centers uncritically but to analyze their full costs and protect communities from unanticipated impacts.
Floor comments highlighted local opposition in counties facing proposed power‑line routes tied to data‑center builds. Delegates from Frederick, Carroll and other counties described constituent concern over large transmission lines and potential eminent‑domain impacts on farms and rural land.
Several delegates noted state incentives for data centers. One delegate said the Maryland Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for a data‑center sales and use tax exemption program, a point used by critics to question whether the state is already providing inducements without resolving infrastructure and rate implications.
The House recorded 125 affirmative votes for final passage after members discussed and accepted assurances that the study would rely on state resources rather than new appropriations or industry funding.
