Data centers in Maryland

📜 State laws

Utility RELIEF Act (2026): data centers pay their own grid costs · May 12, 2026
The Utility RELIEF Act (House Bill 1532, Chapter 353) was signed by Governor Moore on May 12, 2026. It was emergency law, so many parts started right away. For data centers it: lowers the size that triggers special 'large load' electric rules from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts; tells the Public Service Commission (PSC) to make data centers pay transmission and capacity costs they cause; makes the PSC set up a registry of big power users by July 1, 2027, where data centers must explain where their power and water will come from, what backup generators they will use, and how much water they will use each month; charges a registration fee of at least $1,000 per megawatt (half goes to bill help for low-income families); creates a voluntary program where data centers can connect faster if they agree to power down during peak times; and creates a voluntary program for data centers that bring their own clean power. It also bans data centers of 5 megawatts or more in Baltimore city tax-increment districts that still owe bonds (in effect, Port Covington / Baltimore Peninsula). Source

Next Generation Energy Act (2025): first data center rate rules · May 20, 2025
Senate Bill 937 / House Bill 1035, signed May 20, 2025, told every investor-owned utility and electric co-op to file a special rate schedule for very large users (like data centers) by September 1, 2026. The rules must protect households from the risk of data center costs: for example, long contracts, minimum bills, exit fees, collateral, and penalties if a project is cancelled after the utility starts building. The 2026 Utility RELIEF Act lowered the size from 100 to 25 megawatts. Source

Data center impact study (law after veto override) · Dec 16, 2025
Senate Bill 116 orders a study of data centers' effects on air, water, the Chesapeake Bay, energy costs and the economy. The Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration and the University of Maryland business school do the parts, and the Department of Legislative Services writes the final report, due September 1, 2026. Governor Moore vetoed it in May 2025, but lawmakers overrode the veto on December 16, 2025. It costs about $502,000. Source

Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act (2024): backup generators skip PSC approval · July 1, 2024
Senate Bill 474 (2024) says backup generators at data centers and other 'critical infrastructure' do not need a power plant approval (CPCN) from the Public Service Commission, if they are only for emergencies and testing, cannot send power to the grid, have an air permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment, and follow local noise and testing-hour rules. It took effect July 1, 2024. Part of the corporate income tax paid by new data centers goes to the state's Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Environmental groups have asked for this law to be repealed. Source

Statewide data center moratorium bill (HB 120) did not pass · Feb 3, 2026
House Bill 120 (2026) would have stopped approval and construction of new data centers that did not already have all their permits. It got a hearing on February 3, 2026, but no vote. The governor said in September 2026 that he would sign a statewide moratorium if lawmakers send him one. Source

Other 2026 data center bills that did not pass · April 2026
Bills to repeal the data center tax breaks (HB 560), to ban secret deals (NDAs) between local officials and economic development projects including data centers (SB 853, and HB 1332 for Calvert County), and to change the large-load rate rules (HB 1082) got hearings but no final vote. The 2027 session starts in January 2027. Source

Governor's order: state review of big data centers (Executive Order 01.01.2026.16) · Sept 23, 2026
On September 23, 2026, Governor Moore signed an executive order. It creates the Maryland Data Center Accountability Task Force (the heads of Agriculture, Commerce, Environment, Labor, Natural Resources, Planning and the Energy Administration). The task force reviews data centers of 25 megawatts or more when they ask the state for a permit, incentive or other help, and rates them 'aligned', 'conditionally aligned' or 'not aligned' with five principles: protect electric customers, benefit Marylanders, give communities a voice, protect the environment, and be open. It must post a first assessment within 60 days. For 'not aligned' projects, state agencies hold off on review until the developer has all local land use approvals and water permits, and the project gets no state incentives or letters of support. The order also creates a public online dashboard of projects (updated monthly) and bans new secret deals (NDAs) by state agencies. Local governments still make the final land use decision. The order is not a law and a future governor could change it. Source

💡 Who pays for the power

Data center rate rules at the Public Service Commission (case PC 72) · Sept 15, 2026
The PSC opened Public Conference 72 in June 2025 to write rules and approve special rates for very large users like data centers. On September 1, 2026, Potomac Edison, SMECO, and BGE, Pepco and Delmarva Power filed their large load rate schedules (tariff pages). On September 15, 2026, the PSC set a schedule to review them. The PSC staff also drafted a model large-load rate schedule in August 2026. Anyone can follow the case and file a public comment under case number PC72. Source

How much data centers are adding to home power bills · July 13, 2026
Maryland's People's Counsel (the state's consumer advocate) estimates the last two regional power auctions raised typical home bills by about $16.49 a month for BGE, $17.68 for Pepco and SMECO, $10.43 for Delmarva and $20.81 for Potomac Edison, compared with the 2024-2025 year (figures shown before credits). The regional grid's independent watchdog says data centers alone raised the latest capacity auction cost by more than $6.5 billion. The People's Counsel also says Maryland customers were assigned about $2 billion in regional power line costs driven by data center growth forecasts, which will cost about $1.6 billion over the first 10 years. Source

Risk from the grid's emergency power purchase · Aug 10, 2026
The regional grid operator PJM plans to buy extra power plant capacity by December 2, 2026, for 15 years, because of data center growth forecasts. The People's Counsel estimates this could cost Potomac Edison home customers up to $483 million and BGE home customers up to $80 million over 15 years. It asked the PSC in August 2026 to require data centers that do not commit to paying these costs to cut their power use at peak times instead. Source

💵 Tax breaks

Sales tax break on data center equipment · 2020
Since 2020, data centers can skip Maryland's sales tax on servers, cooling equipment, generators, transformers, batteries and similar equipment (not on electricity). To qualify, within 3 years a data center must invest at least $5 million in equipment and create at least 5 full-time jobs paying at least 150% of the state minimum wage. In poorer 'Tier 1' areas (Baltimore city, Allegany, Caroline, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties, and Opportunity Zones) the investment is only $2 million. The break lasts 10 years, or 20 years if the company invests $250 million or more. The Department of Commerce approves it; the Comptroller issues the certificate. A 2026 state analysis said 10 data centers had been approved. A bill to repeal it failed in 2026; the governor says he will try again in 2027. Source

Counties and towns can cut property tax on data center equipment · 2020
The same 2020 law (Chapter 640) lets counties and towns lower or remove local property tax on the equipment inside a qualified data center. Each local council decides. Example: Prince George's County Council introduced bill CB-103-2026 on qualified data center personal property tax in August 2026. Source

🤐 Secret deals and public records

Public records law (Maryland Public Information Act) · 2026
Any person can ask a state or local government for public records; you do not have to live in Maryland or say why. The agency must grant or deny the request within 30 days. If it will take longer than 10 working days, it must tell you in writing within 10 working days how long it will take, the likely fees and why. If it denies, it must explain why in writing within 10 working days. You can agree to give it up to 30 more days. Source

If an agency ignores or refuses your records request · 2026
You can ask the state Public Access Ombudsman (in the Attorney General's office) for free help to settle the dispute. Send a copy of your request and any answers you got. Some disputes (like fees over $350 or no answer at all) can then go to the State Public Information Act Compliance Board. You can also go to court. Source

Secret deals (NDAs): banned for state agencies, still allowed for counties · Sept 23, 2026
Since September 23, 2026, state agencies may not sign new secret deals (NDAs) with data center developers; old ones are honored until they end. No law stops county or town officials from signing them. Example: Calvert County commissioners defended their use of NDAs, including one tied to data center talks, in March 2026. Bills to ban local NDAs (SB 853 statewide, HB 1332 for Calvert) did not pass in 2026. Source

New state data center dashboard · Sept 23, 2026
The governor's September 2026 order calls for a public online Maryland Data Center Dashboard, updated monthly, showing each covered project's location, developer, tenants, expected peak power use and water use. We have not found the dashboard online yet. Source

💧 Water

Who approves the water a data center uses · 2026
A data center that takes its own water from a river or well needs a state Water Appropriation and Use Permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), which sets withdrawal limits. A data center that buys water from a local utility (like a county water system) uses that utility's existing state permit, so the utility and its council or board decide. MDE posts new water permit applications in a monthly list; you can ask to be put on the interested persons list and get notice of any hearing. Starting with the 2027 registry, big data centers must also tell the PSC how much water they will use each month and where it comes from. Source

Building permits for stormwater and brownfields · 2026
During construction, MDE (often with the county) handles stormwater, dust and groundwater permits like for any big building. Sites on old industrial land (brownfields) have extra testing and cleanup rules. Source

🌫️ Air and generators

Air permits for diesel backup generators (MDE) · March 25, 2026
The Maryland Department of the Environment's Air and Radiation Administration issues permits for data center diesel backup generators. MDE says every such permit requires a local community meeting and a comment period before approval. Example: on March 25, 2026, MDE approved 99 diesel generators for Amazon at 3250 Digital Drive in Frederick. They may only run in real emergencies and for testing, not as main power or in demand-response programs. Amazon applied on February 23, 2026, for 99 more generators at 3300 Radiant Way (public meeting May 28, 2026). MDE's final decisions can be appealed in circuit court. Source

Power plants and power lines (PSC approval) · 2026
Building a power plant or a big power line in Maryland needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Public Service Commission, with public comment hearings near the site. Since July 2024, emergency backup generators at data centers do not need one (see the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act). The 2026 Utility RELIEF Act added notice rules and made applicants for new power lines show the alternatives they looked at. Source

🙋 How to have your say

Who decides a data center near you · Jan 2025
In Maryland, the county decides zoning on land outside towns (in Baltimore city, the city does). Incorporated towns and cities zone inside their own limits, except in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, where the county council (sitting as the 'district council') zones almost everywhere, while a few towns there keep their own zoning. Who votes depends on the county: a county council in charter counties (like Frederick, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford) or the county commissioners in other counties (like Calvert, Carroll, Washington, St. Mary's). Many data centers need a rezoning, a special exception or a conditional use, which requires a public hearing. Source

How to appeal a zoning decision · 2026
Decisions by a zoning officer or planning staff can usually be appealed to the county Board of Appeals; the deadline is set in each county code (often 30 days). After a final decision by a board or council, you can ask the circuit court to review it. The petition must be filed within 30 days after the decision (or after the notice was sent or received, if notice was required). Courts treat this deadline strictly. Source

How to comment at the Public Service Commission · 2026
Anyone can send a written comment on an open PSC case (for data center rate rules, case number PC72) through the PSC's online public comment system (one-time sign-up, PDF only) or by mail to the Chief Clerk, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. The PSC also holds public comment hearings, mostly for rate cases and new power plants or power lines; speakers sign up as the hearing notice says and usually get 3 to 5 minutes. Source

How to ask for records about a data center · 2026
Send a written request (email works) to the county, town or state agency's public records contact. Say it is a Maryland Public Information Act request and describe the records (for example: all agreements, NDAs, emails and meeting notes about the data center project from a given date). Anyone may ask. The answer is due within 30 days; if it will take more than 10 working days, the agency must tell you within 10 working days. If it is refused or ignored, contact the Public Access Ombudsman. Source

Asking the state task force to look at a project · Sept 23, 2026
The governor's data center task force can review a project when a developer asks the state for something, but a state agency, a local government or the PSC can also refer a project to it. Its first assessment must be posted online within 60 days. If you are worried about a project, you can ask your county council or commissioners to refer it. Source

How to comment on a generator air permit · 2026
MDE holds a public informational meeting and a comment period before deciding on a data center's generator air permit. Watch MDE's notices and news releases for your county, register for the meeting, and send written comments before the deadline. After MDE's final decision, the public can appeal in circuit court. Source

🧾 Help with your bills

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP): help with heating bills · 2026
A one-time grant each heating season, sent to your heating company. The amount depends on your fuel type, income and where you live. Apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov or through your local Office of Home Energy Programs; you can apply any time of year but get help once per year (July to June). Source

Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP): help with electric bills · 2026
Helps pay electric bills, based on your income and your electric use over the last 12 months. The grant goes to your electric company. EUSP also offers Arrearage Retirement Assistance: up to $2,000 toward old unpaid electric bills, once every 5 years. Part of the new data center registration fee (Utility RELIEF Act) goes to EUSP. Source

Bill credit in 2027 from the Utility RELIEF Act · July 13, 2026
The Utility RELIEF Act sets aside $100 million to lower the EmPOWER charge on home electric bills in equal monthly amounts during 2027. The PSC is working out (case PC 80) how renters in apartments with a shared meter can get it; it must decide by December 1, 2026. It happens automatically on your bill. Source

📞 Who to contact

Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) · 2026
Sets electric rates and rules, including the new data center (large load) rate rules and registry, and approves power plants and power lines. Takes public comments and consumer complaints. Source

Office of People's Counsel (OPC) · 2026
Independent state agency that represents home utility customers at the PSC and federal regulators. Has a Consumer Assistance Unit for billing problems. Phone (410) 767-8150. Source

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) · 2026
Issues air permits for data center generators, water withdrawal permits, stormwater and brownfield approvals, and holds the public meetings on them. Source

Maryland Data Center Accountability Task Force · Sept 23, 2026
Created by the governor in September 2026. Reviews data centers of 25 megawatts or more and runs the public data center dashboard. Contact through the Governor's Office, State House, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401. Source

Maryland Department of Commerce · 2026
Approves the data center sales tax break and other state business incentives. Source

Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) · 2026
State energy office. Comments at the PSC on data center rules and helped write the state data center impact study. Source

Office of Home Energy Programs (Department of Human Services) · 2026
Runs MEAP and EUSP bill help. Main DHS line 1-800-332-6347. Source

Public Access Ombudsman · 2026
Free help when a government office does not answer or refuses a public records request. Source

Maryland Department of Planning · 2026
Helps counties and towns with planning; member of the data center task force. Does not make local zoning decisions. Source

Maryland General Assembly · 2026
Find your state senator and delegates, follow data center bills, and testify at bill hearings during the session (January to April). Source