County council creates 20‑member data‑center task force, widens scope of study

The County Council of Prince George’s County on April 15 adopted CR 16‑20‑25, creating a 20‑member Qualified Data Center Task Force and directing the Planning Department to deliver a report with recommendations by Nov. 30, 2025. The motion to substitute the committee draft and move draft 1 passed on a recorded vote; the council later approved an amendment that broadened the study’s scope and increased membership to 20. Both votes carried unanimously on recorded roll calls.

Why it matters: the county has seen rapid interest in data‑center development and council members and public speakers raised concerns about effects on the electric grid, ratepayers, emissions, groundwater and neighborhood quality. The motion sets a deadline and specific study topics and names two electric‑provider seats to ensure utility input in the analysis.

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee recommended combining earlier related resolutions into CR 16 and delivered a revised draft to the…