Lawmakers weigh data-center planning, disclosure and school-protection bills
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Delegates and witnesses told the Environment & Transportation Committee that Maryland lacks statewide tracking and early disclosure for data center proposals; bills would require county planning and MDE disclosure reports and set operational protections for nearby schools.
Delegate Sheila Ruth told the committee HB 14-11 would require jurisdictions with populations above an established threshold to perform data-center planning and require data centers to file disclosure reports with MDE before permit filings so communities can evaluate impacts.
"This is not an anti data center bill," Ruth said, adding the measure focuses on planning and transparency so counties and communities can decide whether and where to welcome data centers and what mitigation conditions to seek.
Multiple community and environmental witnesses described gaps in public information and oversight. Mariah Davis of Nature Forward said Maryland does not track basic data-center information statewide and urged public disclosure to allow community input. Betsy Nicholas, Potomac Riverkeeper Network president, stressed water impacts and diesel-generator pollution. "Allowing that information to stay hidden is antithetical to our regulatory systems," she said.
Sponsor Delegate April Miller separately presented HB 15-34, an operational standards bill focused on hyperscale projects near schools, proposing HEPA filtration options, vibration limits, and restrictions on daytime generator testing. Supporters described potential health and learning impacts for neurodivergent and school populations; opponents from industry groups warned about competitiveness, vagueness of definitions, and potential costs.
Andrew Zirkle of the Maryland Tech Council argued disclosure requirements in some proposals go beyond other states and could make Maryland less competitive for jobs and investment.
Committee members pressed sponsors on thresholds, overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities, agency capacity to receive reports, and alignment with ongoing state studies. Sponsors said they would work with localities and agencies on amendments and noted fiscal notes that said MDE/MDP could implement reporting with existing resources.
Next steps: committee discussions and potential amendments to clarify thresholds, agency roles, and exemptions for very small municipalities.