A Data Center Task Force must convene while the six month moratorium is in place
“I’m pleased that we implemented a six-month pause on data center development, as I had proposed earlier this year,” said Councilmember Evan Glass, chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee. “However, that is only the first step toward protecting our environment and utility ratepayers. Our job is not yet finished. We need to use this pause to establish a Data Center Task Force composed of diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts that actively listens to and understands the needs of the communities affected most. We need to get this right because the stakes are too high to get it wrong.”
In January, Councilmember Glass introduced legislation (Bill 4-26) to create a Data Center Task Force, which would study the potential impact of data center development in Montgomery County. Despite failing to receive any cosponsors and being rejected in committee, Councilmember Glass strongly believes this legislation must be revisited for consideration by the Council.
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Councilmember Glass is calling for immediate action: create the task force as originally proposed to provide a clear, community engaged process during the moratorium. The task force will include fifteen members, stakeholders from a diverse range of sectors, including environmental groups, civic organizations, the data center industry, utility companies, trade unions and more. For 12 months, these stakeholders will develop recommendations for the County, ensuring the most responsible, sustainable and equitable path forward for data center development within Montgomery County.
“Time is of the essence. We must use this moratorium to put strong guardrails in place to protect our environment, our residents and future generations from irresponsible data center development. The task force is exactly the structure we need to guide us at this time,” said Councilmember Glass.
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