The Prince George’s County Council has adopted a resolution temporarily pausing approvals for new data centers while it considers comprehensive legislation on zoning, siting, and construction standards for these facilities.
On September 16, the Council approved CR-98-2025, introduced by Council Member Wala Blegay and co-sponsored by Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha and Council Members Shayla Adams-Stafford, Ingrid Watson, and Thomas Dernoga.
The measure establishes a 180-day moratorium on permits and subdivision plans for data centers, which will expire either when the Council passes new legislation or when the 180 days have elapsed.
Maryland’s burgeoning data center industry is attracting national attention, driven by its strategic location, robust energy infrastructure, and highly skilled workforce. As counties across the state consider the economic benefits of these facilities, policymakers also face pressing questions: how to balance growth with energy demands, community impacts, and workforce development.
The Council linked this pause to the work of the County’s Qualified Data Center Task Force, which is reviewing the costs and benefits of data center growth. The Task Force must deliver recommendations to the Council by November 30, 2025, to guide future legislation.
The resolution also supports an executive order issued by County Executive Aisha Braveboy. Together, the executive and legislative actions reflect a coordinated effort to pause approvals while broader policy questions are resolved. “Our resolution, in addition to the executive order, together show that we are in collaboration moving forward to ensure that there is a pause right now,” said Council Member Blegay.
The moratorium provides Prince George’s County with time to evaluate the best approach to managing data center development while protecting community interests and ensuring long-term sustainability. The Council’s upcoming decisions will help shape not only local policy but also Maryland’s broader approach to a rapidly expanding industry.
Visit the Prince George’s County Council website for more information.
