Data Center Opposition Grows Across Maryland

Opposition to data centers is on the rise, resulting in an increased number of canceled projects.  Research from the climate site Heatmap found at least 25 planned centers were cancelled in 2025.  High energy usage and environmental impacts are reasons for opposition, but Angie McCarthy, with Nature Forward, says the tactics used to push the projects through are a big issue…

 

 

“The reason why we’re seeing so many cancellations and community uproar now is people have gotten wise to the fact that many data center developers and large tech developers use a high level of secrecy. They use NDAs with public officials to do their work and it’s really hard to oppose something when you don’t even know what’s going on.”