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County files to intervene in PSC solar application near Centreville, adopts 12‑month moratorium on data centers
Summary
County staff said three co‑located community solar projects totaling 9.98 MW at the Route 301/304 interchange appear to circumvent recent siting standards; commissioners authorized intervention in the PSC case and voted to impose a 12‑month moratorium on new data center applications while staff draft appropriate zoning standards.
Queen Anne's County moved on two energy‑related policy fronts at its May 26 meeting: commissioners authorized the county to intervene in a Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) case over an application for three co‑located solar facilities totaling 9.98 MW, and the board adopted a 12‑month temporary moratorium on data center applications.
Planning and legal staff told the board the PSC filing for co‑located facilities at the Route 301/304 interchange sits in a town growth area and appeared to be structured as three separate community solar projects that, in aggregate, would amount to a major utility‑scale installation. Staff argued the proposal could circumvent standards negotiated in recent state renewable‑energy legislation and county code updates. "This proposal looks like a clear attempt to circumvent some of the key standards," county counsel Amy said, urging the board to intervene so the county can submit legal briefs during the PSC process.
The motion to intervene passed after staff said they had submitted a letter requesting clarification and that the applicant had been asked to respond to county concerns. The town of Centreville also submitted a letter and was considering intervention.
Separately, commissioners adopted Resolution 26‑7, a 12‑month temporary moratorium on approval or processing of applications for data centers. Staff said the pause will allow zoning and planning staff to draft standards tailored to the scale, energy use and land‑use implications of data centers; the resolution passed by voice vote.
