Article

The Montgomery County Council's Economic Development and Transportation & Environment committees voted 3-2 against a bill to establish a task force that would evaluate data centers' future in the county. Councilmember Evan Glass proposed the task force, which aimed to address community concerns about energy costs, water resources, and public health risks.

However, committee members questioned the necessity of the task force, citing a competing zoning text amendment (ZTA) that would limit data center locations and establish new regulations. The ZTA work session is expected after the council completes the fiscal year 2027 budget by June 1.

The proposed task force would have included 15 members from various stakeholders and operated for a year, but the committees amended the bill to six months before rejecting it. Currently, only one hyperscale data center is proposed in the county.