Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press county to block hyperscale data centers, citing energy, health and economic concerns
Summary
Multiple speakers urged Prince George's County Council to convert a temporary pause on hyperscale data centers into a permanent ban, saying such projects could strain the PJM grid, raise utility bills and harm air and water; council members expressed concern but stopped short of committing the full body to an outright ban without further analysis.
At a District 7 listening session, dozens of residents urged the Prince George's County Council to move beyond a temporary moratorium and adopt a permanent ban on hyperscale AI and data-center construction.
"A data center in Landover would use 820 megawatts, which is more than twice as much energy as all households in Prince George's County," said Andrew Brewster, a resident and organizer, drawing on figures he said were part of community presentations. Speakers argued that hyperscale facilities would increase electricity demand, strain the PJM regional grid and could push up household utility bills.
Several speakers also raised environmental and equity concerns. "They will have adverse effects on our energy grid, our air, and our water," said a member of the No Data Center in Landover coalition, describing water and air impacts and calling for the pause to become permanent.
Council members expressed a range of responses. Council Chair Crystal Oriada said she personally opposes the Landover proposal and similar projects in the county. Other councilmembers said they shared skepticism but cautioned that a binding ban would require changes in zoning, a clear fiscal analysis of revenues and infrastructure impacts, and adherence to quasi‑judicial and ex parte rules that govern land‑use decisions.
Councilmembers noted existing steps: the council previously introduced a pause on data-center approvals and has signaled interest in requiring onsite generation, clearer environmental protections and grid-impact analysis before permitting large-scale facilities. Some members said they would be open to legislation that imposes stronger local controls if it passes legal and procedural review.
Speakers asked for firm commitments. When asked by multiple residents whether they supported a permanent ban, council members gave mixed answers: some declined to commit on the record without a formal bill or hearing, others said they opposed specific Landover projects.
Next steps: Councilmembers said the issue will stay on the agenda for upcoming committee briefings and public hearings. The council noted a Feb. 23 PJM and utilities briefing for the public and pledged to use technical experts, consumer-advocate voices and environmental stakeholders in further deliberations.
