Residents and commissioners flag water‑use concerns as data‑center referendum verification proceeds

At its March 26 meeting, the Sustainable Monocacy Commission heard updates on Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) fieldwork and public concerns about data‑center water use as a referendum petition moves through verification.

Chair Matt Moran reported MPRP is conducting land surveys including archaeological test pitting on private properties; some residents said test pitting damaged trees and that topsoil had not been restored at some sites. Moran also reported the data‑center referendum petition had gathered more than 22,000 signatures, and he said the Board of Elections was verifying signatures to determine whether the measure can be certified for the November ballot.

During public comment, Brandon Moffitt criticized the County for restricting Commission discussion of data centers and asked the County to reconsider. Sam Newhouse said the data centers on the Eastalco campus are currently permitted to use up to 1.3 million gallons of Potomac River water per day, which he characterized as roughly 3% of the County’s total water supply, and he said evaporative cooling at such facilities increases overall demand. A. C. Malinak said operators of Quantum data centers already under construction have been allocated the full potable water allotment for the campus and asked how future demand will be met and whether greywater systems are being considered.

The minutes record these comments but do not include verification of the specific water‑use figures; no county staff provided a technical water‑use briefing during this meeting. The Board of Elections’ verification process applies to the petition signatures and will determine whether the referendum can appear on the November ballot once verification is complete.