CALVERT COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The Calvert County Board of Commissioners is considering a six-month moratorium on new data center projects Tuesday as residents pack the hearing room to standing room only.
The hearing comes just days after Amazon abandoned plans to build three data centers on the grounds of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant following months of intense community opposition.
On Aug. 18, 2026, the Calvert County Board of Commissioners hearing room is packed to standing room only ahead of a hearing on a six-month data center moratorium. (Brad Bell/7News)
Residents first learned about the proposed data centers in February. By then, the project had already gained support from county commissioners.
The proposal quickly became a major issue in the June primary election. Three incumbent commissioners who opposed a moratorium on new data centers were defeated.
RELATED | Amazon abandons Calvert County data centers after community pushes back
If approved, the pause would stop the consideration of new data center projects while the county reviews its policies.
Calvert County would join a growing number of Maryland jurisdictions that have taken steps to pause or limit new data center development.
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