Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wicomico County Council enacts one-year moratorium on new data-center permits
Summary
The council unanimously approved Resolution 125-2026 to pause acceptance and processing of new data-center applications for up to one year to allow review of a state impact study and updates to the county comprehensive plan, following extensive public comment about water, power and community impacts.
Wicomico County Council on Aug. 4 adopted Resolution 125-2026, imposing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for new data-center developments in the county. Council members voted unanimously after more than two hours of public comment and a council discussion about infrastructure and zoning.
Residents and community groups urged action, citing potential strains on the electrical grid and groundwater. Jim Atkins, a county resident, told the council that "data centers employ an average of 30 to 50 full time employees" but can consume electricity "enough to power 100,000 homes" and large daily volumes of water. Planning staff framed the moratorium as a pause to allow the county to study a forthcoming state data-center impact report and to incorporate policy changes into the county's comprehensive-plan update.
Local environmental organizations and land-use advocates supported the pause. Carol Donahue, president of the Wicomico Environmental Trust, said the moratorium would allow policymakers to clarify zoning and avoid premature planning-department reviews. Planning and zoning director Tracy Taylor noted a state report is due in September and warned that a full ban would likely face legal challenge, saying the pause will "give us some time to thoughtfully consider regulations."
The council directed staff to use the moratorium period for stakeholder outreach, potential work sessions with utilities and the health department, and integration of draft policies into the comprehensive-plan process. The resolution takes effect immediately and remains in force for up to one year or until the council adopts implementing legislation.
