The Prince George’s County Council has opted to delay a controversial bill aimed at streamlining the approval process for data centers. Proposed by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the legislation faced significant opposition from residents and environmental advocates during the council’s final legislative session of the year.
Public Pushback Over Environmental and Community Impacts
Residents voiced strong concerns about the potential environmental and social consequences of loosening restrictions on data center developments. Many worried that reducing public oversight could allow large facilities to be placed in neighborhoods without sufficient scrutiny.
Janet Gingold, a representative from the Prince George’s County Sierra Club, criticized the bill for removing key safeguards.
“It eliminates the public’s ability to evaluate whether these developments align with county goals or mitigate harm to overburdened communities,” Gingold said during her testimony.
Environmental advocates highlighted the massive energy demands of data centers, with some warning that these “electricity hogs” could strain the state’s grid, increase utility costs, and exacerbate pollution.
Greg Smith from Sustainable Hyattsville added, “Data centers are already imposing significant loads on the state’s energy infrastructure. We need to consider the long-term impacts before moving forward.”
Economic Arguments Divide the Council
Proponents of the bill, including members of the local business community, pointed to the potential for data centers to bolster the county’s struggling finances. Alex Austin of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce emphasized the tax revenue benefits, calling data centers a sustainable economic asset.
Council Vice Chair Sidney Harrison highlighted Loudoun County, Virginia, where data centers contribute 42% of the local tax base.
“That’s where your cellphone and computer data is stored — in Virginia,” Harrison said. “This is a $1.3 billion industry helping manage their government. Why shouldn’t Prince George’s County benefit too?”
However, Councilmember Wala Blegay argued that the comparison was misleading.
“Loudoun has nearly 200 data centers. We don’t even have one yet,” Blegay said. “The revenue is real, but it’s not a windfall of money.”
Alternative Solutions on the Table
Council Chair Jolene Ivey proposed exploring alternative zoning strategies before passing any data center bill. She suggested creating an “overlay zone” that would involve public input to determine suitable locations.
“Once we know where data centers should go and ensure they have sufficient energy without burdening homeowners, then this bill will make more sense,” Ivey said.
Her remarks underscored broader frustrations about the county’s slow development approval processes.
“It took five years just to get a storage center approved in my district,” Ivey said. “We need efficiency, but not at the cost of accountability.”
Key Sites Under Consideration
Several locations are being evaluated for potential data center development, including:
- Brandywine: Near an existing power plant, making it a strong contender.
- Konterra in Laurel: Offers space but needs further assessment.
- Landover Mall site: A former commercial hub, though infrastructure issues could pose challenges.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Angie Rodgers sought to allay fears, emphasizing that not all land would be open for data centers.
“We have maps showing where data centers are most likely to go,” Rodgers said.
What’s Next for the Data Center Debate?
For now, the council has opted to delay a final vote, signaling plans to revisit the bill in 2025 after addressing residents’ concerns. Chair Ivey expressed cautious optimism that a reworked approach could ultimately pass.
The debate highlights the tension between fostering economic growth and maintaining community trust. As Prince George’s County grapples with these challenges, it stands at a crossroads in deciding how best to balance its financial needs with its environmental and social responsibilities.
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