Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Council approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development, extending a previous six-month executive order. The council also passed a zoning amendment defining data centers and acknowledged existing facilities, while Atmosphere, a data center company, expressed disappointment over the decision.

Montgomery County has acquired White’s Ferry operations and the Maryland-side dock from owner Chuck Kuhn in a deal below appraisal value, with Kuhn donating the ferry to the county. The ferry, which stopped operating in 2020 due to a dispute over Virginia landing rights, remains non-operational between Maryland and Virginia, and Rockland Farms owner Libby Devlin, who controls the Virginia landing site, was not consulted about the deal.

Montgomery County Council committees recommended an 18-month pause on data center development and defined large data centers as facilities with at least 25 megawatts of energy demand. The proposals will be considered by the full council, following an existing six-month moratorium by County Executive Marc Elrich and similar actions in other Maryland counties.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, U.S. Park Police, and federal law enforcement conducted a river search after three individuals fled a commercial vehicle stop on Clara Barton Parkway. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was identified as the arresting agency, while Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized the county's limited ability to intervene in ICE operations.

Montgomery County's BTheOne Ambassador Program trains over 700 teens in mental health initiatives and overdose response since 2022, with participants completing over 2,000 service hours on projects like health kits and community peace promotion. Teens address pandemic-related mental health challenges, advocate for reduced screen time, and highlight the importance of peer and parental support in fostering well-being.

The CDC recommends drinking 8 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes during extreme heat, avoiding overhydration by limiting intake to no more than 1.5 quarts per hour. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized hydration and safety precautions during a heat wave, while warning against alcohol and energy drinks due to increased heat-related risks.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a six-month moratorium on data center permits to establish specific regulations before processing applications. The pause is not a ban and aims to address community concerns through proposed zoning amendments. Council members, including Will Jawando and Kristin Mink, supported the move to refine rules, while Atmosphere Data Centers is involved in a data center project under review.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed four bills aimed at protecting the county's immigrant population by restricting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. The legislation includes measures like prohibiting county-owned properties from being used for ICE staging, banning masks during law enforcement duties, and blocking permits for immigration detention facilities.