Data center moratorium

Asked on behalf of Indivisible Calvert whether the board has started the environmental studies promised in the data center moratorium, warning the omission creates legal exposure.

Thanked staff, asked whether the RFPs for moratorium studies have begun, and called out Commissioner Grasso over her husband's June outburst at a speaker, saying the silence is deafening.

A Lusby resident urged the Board to close the 'warehouse' language loophole in the data center moratorium as Patuxent Business Park lots go out for bid, and to keep Lusby residents informed.

Argued the moratorium ordinance's automatic-sunset language means any extension requires a new advertised public hearing, and questioned why Dunkirk gets a crosswalk while Solomons has waited decades.

Urged the board to vote yes on the August 18 moratorium, saying the risks of mega data centers became clear only after the county invited the industry in.

Thanked the board for the moratorium process and called for rezoning 800 acres of forest and farmland back from heavy industrial, urging a unanimous August 18 vote.

Speaking for Citizens for Calvert, supported the moratorium but asked that it be strengthened with defined study goals, environmental and health impact findings, and an extension option.

Asked why the county can't spend a year or two studying data center impacts the way the student safety committee studied schools, and urged a longer, stronger moratorium with an advisory committee.

During public comment, accused the board of dysfunction, questioned whether excluded private meetings violated the Open Meetings Act, criticized Commissioner Grasso over an incident involving her husband, and praised Commissioner Hance's dignified July 4 flag-raising conduct.

A candidate for the board, she cited polls showing 70% of Americans oppose data centers and urged the commissioners to vote for the moratorium and restore public trust.

Pointed to Loudoun County, Virginia's 6-1 vote to explore a data center moratorium as a model, and said Calvert needs one too.

Criticized Commissioners Hart and Grasso for having no language ready when staff asked for moratorium drafting direction, and asked that Patrick Flaherty's more specific draft language be used.

Speaking for the Asylum Majority group, he accused the board of betraying public trust on data centers, read his draft moratorium language, and noted other Maryland counties have imposed moratoria or bans.

Raised health concerns about infrasound from data centers, arguing the cited acoustics standard doesn't cover it, and recommended a moratorium of at least a year plus monitoring requirements.

Claimed Constellation got 800 acres rezoned heavy industrial without due process and cited a 10,000-signature moratorium petition, urging the board to act.

Speaking for the Camp Kanoy Road neighborhood, he blamed Constellation's corporate leadership for manipulating the 2024 comprehensive plan change and demanded public accountability.

Argued for full accounting of environmental trade-offs — carbon sequestration, water retention, sedimentation — saying a moratorium would reveal the 'unknown unknowns.'

Speaking for Concerned Citizens of Calvert, invoked the Declaration of Independence, said three commissioners were voted out for blocking the moratorium, warned of lawsuits, and disputed claimed tax benefits given grid cost shifts.

Expressed disappointment that moratorium action keeps being deferred and that AWS and Constellation representatives did not attend, saying he expects to be disappointed again August 18.

A commissioner-at-large candidate who thanked the board for moving toward the moratorium, predicted passage August 18, and thanked Commissioner Hance for his apology.

Took a rare pro-data-center revenue angle: estimated roughly $45 million in potential tax revenue and asked the board to state publicly how it would be used, including possible property tax relief.

Thanked the board for the Marley Run decision, questioned Commissioner Hance's explanation for attending the data center summit, and traced the water/sewer EDU saga as a warning about vested rights and parallel AWS timelines.

Celebrated the moratorium petition reaching 10,000 signatures, warned about data center air pollution and noise, and suggested five-mile sound buffers, Tier 4 generators and sound walls.

Speaking for the Garden Way community in Lusby, reported new modular trailers and a 'tenant substation' appearing at Calvert Cliffs via Burns & McDonnell, warning of a piecemeal 'foot-in-the-door' strategy and urging the board to close loopholes.

Research director for the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health, cited CDC data showing 10.5% of county residents in burdened zones and urged environmental justice and health impact assessments with the moratorium.

Called in from Owings urging the moratorium and reminding commissioners they represent the community, not outside investors.

Cited other Maryland counties' data center moratoriums and accused the commissioners of pursuing data centers without public knowledge, demanding a complete stop.

A Lusby citizen who invoked the primary election results and asked the board to advertise a six-month moratorium resolution for a July 28 hearing.

Speaking for Indivisible Calvert County, she noted a 10,000-signature petition and said pausing text amendment work while site plans proceed is a dereliction of duty.

A candidate for commissioner at-large who appealed to the three remaining commissioners to approve a six-month moratorium and 'listen to the voters.'

Representing Citizens for Calvert, she quoted Commissioner Hance's June 9 statements and asked for a two-year moratorium to allow environmental studies.

Speaking for Concerned Citizens of Calvert, he laid out three messages from the primary election and warned of lawsuits and organized opposition if concerns are ignored.

A Chesapeake Beach resident who asked for de-escalation-trained officers at First Friday and noted her town's pending total data center ban ordinance, demanding a two-year county moratorium.

A Long Beach, St. Leonard resident who cited the 9,700-signature petition and worried about what will be left for her grandchildren if data centers are built.

Came to hear proposed moratorium language promised at the last meeting and asked why it wasn't on the agenda, urging a moratorium now.

A Huntingtown resident who politely asked the board to act on a six-month moratorium now rather than leaving it to the next board.

Criticized the board's closed-door handling of data centers and called the June 23 primary a referendum against the board.

Candidate for commissioner who said the board has voted down moratorium hearings repeatedly and is 'running out the clock' ahead of the election.

Representing Indivisible Calvert County, cited the Environmental Commission's heat island findings extending 6.2 miles and urged a moratorium for as long as studies take.

Spoke for the 'silent majority,' calling for civility, less character attack, and collaborative work before the July 7 deadline.

Asked the board to evaluate cumulative impacts of the multi-campus data center proposal and include the Environmental Commission in the process.

Marley Run HOA board member recited a decade of county studies and argued a public hearing — not another workshop — is needed for accountability.

Speaking for Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development, questioned the legality of the county's 'unlimited clause' and criticized the process; called on the board to direct county attorneys to draft a defensible moratorium.

Owings resident asked why the board is moving faster than the facts and urged a pause until the Environmental Commission's recommended studies are complete.

Dunkirk EMS volunteer who came supporting a moratorium but concluded residents simply don't want data centers at all — 'just say no, or at least a pause.'

Lusby caller warned the whole county is watching online and questioned whether staff and counsel are equipped to handle the moratorium legally.

Lusby resident urged commissioners to visit affected communities in Northern Virginia and predicted voters will hold accountable those who vote down the moratorium.

30-year Lusby area resident said lower Calvert has become an industrial zone, criticized the zoning changes without hearings, and called for a moratorium.

Speaking for Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development, argued a moratorium and text amendment must run together, said the county is ignoring its own environmental experts, and demanded the board implement a moratorium.

A commissioner candidate presented a map showing 20 homes and a county park near the southern end of the proposed data center complex, questioned the three commissioners who voted against a 24-month moratorium, and asked them to agree to at least a 12-month moratorium.

A 26-year county resident submitted written comments opposing any data processing center in Calvert County, urging protection of rural character and suggesting third-party auditing instead of pursuing data center revenue.