Mountain Patriots Propose Data Center Ordinance Amendments in Frederick County

The Mountain Patriots, a local conservative group, released a 21-page report titled "Data Center Development: Issues & Solutions," addressing concerns about new data centers in Frederick County. The report suggests ordinance amendments including mandatory underground construction for data centers, third-party fiscal audits, and limiting development to two data centers over three years.

Additional recommendations advocate for cooling systems that do not exceed local median water consumption rates. Frederick County Planning Director Wyatt Pearson noted that a data center fact sheet is being finalized for a Planning Commission review in January.

Delegate Bill Wiley expressed support for the report, particularly regarding water usage limits, as potential solutions to enhance community revenue while mitigating impact. The report claims underground data centers could reduce energy costs by up to 40% and lessen environmental degradation.