House overrides veto on data-center impact study after heated debate

Annapolis — The Maryland House of Delegates voted 111-24 on Dec. 16 to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 270, which directs an independent study of data centers’ economic, environmental and energy impacts in the state.

Supporters said the study is a neutral, fact-finding effort. A delegate who sponsored the measure told colleagues the research would examine air and environmental effects, job creation and demand on the power grid and noted the committee estimate of the study’s cost as $500,000. “We want to find out, without sticking our head in the sand, what that impact is specifically to Maryland,” the sponsor said.

Opponents argued the bill would not solve Maryland’s immediate energy problems and objected to taxpayer funding for industry analysis. “This bill doesn’t solve that problem,” one delegate said, adding the measure “is almost like the show Seinfeld” because it diverts attention from underlying energy supply issues. Another lawmaker called taxpayer-funded research for firms that have been operating for decades “crony capitalism.”

Lawmakers also highlighted inconsistent cost estimates. One member said the figure had ranged from $0 to $1.2 million in different versions and urged skepticism about the price, while the sponsor reiterated the $500,000 estimate.

After extended back-and-forth on the floor about energy generation, grid capacity and local impacts near schools and farms, the House completed a roll-call vote: 111 in favor, 24 opposed. The clerk subsequently sent notice of the override to the Senate.

Next steps: The bill requires the study report, due to the General Assembly according to its provisions; the House message notifying the Senate was journalized after the vote.