Maryland Sets AI Guardrails as States Confront Data Center Boom
Summary
Maryland's Governor Wes Moore has signed an order to regulate large data centers, requiring a standard review of their impact on electricity, water, communities, and the economy. The state will create a task force and public dashboard to increase transparency, while Texas is taking a different approach by pausing data center permits until audits of their resource use are finished.Key Facts
- Maryland's new rules apply to data center projects using 25 megawatts or more of power.
- A task force will assess projects based on protecting taxpayers, the power grid, the environment, and community input.
- A public dashboard will show data center locations, developers, and their electricity and water needs.
- Governor Wes Moore wants more local control and accountability for data center development.
- Maryland may end its data-center tax exemption, but this needs approval from the state legislature.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a temporary stop on data center permits until audits of their power and water demands are complete.
- Texas agencies are evaluating how much electricity and water data centers actually use before allowing new projects.
- Maryland and Texas show different strategies states are using to manage the growth of large data centers driven by artificial intelligence needs.
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