Montgomery County Council

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 firefighters potentially violated the county's Trust Act by preparing to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the Potomac River. Council member Kristin Mink criticized the action but noted firefighters faced conflicting county rules.

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 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 Councilmember Evan Glass criticizes the MCPS budget process for lacking transparency and consistency, proposing three reforms: replacing the state’s 14-category budget system with more detailed breakdowns, transitioning the Board of Education to a full-time body with support staff, and adding a county executive-appointed representative to the budget advisory committee. He argues these changes would improve oversight and clarity for a $3.7 billion school system budget.