Constituent Inquiries on Data Centers

Will construction remove forests and increase CO2?

Tree clearing must follow Forest Conservation rules and, where required, Critical Area mitigation. Removed trees are replaced or offset with fees, helping minimize CO2 and environmental impact.

What is being done about light pollution from 24/7 operations?

Data centers must follow outdoor lighting requirements, using dark-sky-friendly designs and an approved lighting plan to minimize light pollution.

Will there be restrictions above and beyond Maryland limits for underground fuel storage?

All underground fuel storage must comply with state and federal standards and additional local conditions may be imposed during review.

How will negative impacts — air, water, light pollution — be avoided?

Data centers must comply with state and county environmental regulations, along with any site-specific conditions. Best-practice designs—such as dark-sky lighting, noise control, and efficient water use—are often used to reduce air, water and light pollution.

What about noise from facilities and generators?

In Calvert County, data centers must comply with Chapter 80 of the Noise Control Ordinance of the Calvert County. To ensure compliance, facilities often test generators on a staggered schedule and create buffers to minimize disturbances.

One site that allows a data center is near homes — what provisions protect residents?

Setbacks, buffering, lighting controls, and noise limits are required, and additional measures can be added during project review to protect nearby residents.

How will construction traffic on unsafe or no-shoulder roads be addressed?

While traffic impacts are temporary and closely monitored by transportation staff, construction traffic management plans and necessary road improvements are required to maintain safety.

How will data centers in Calvert County manage cooling and water use, and what protections will ensure local resources aren’t impacted?

Cooling technologies for data centers are rapidly evolving, and the county is continuing to research the most current and sustainable practices. Modern facilities increasingly rely on closed-loop, hybrid or air-based systems that minimize water use and prevent impacts on community water supplies. Each project undergoes detailed engineering and permitting review by state and local regulators to ensure water sources, treatment, and discharge are properly managed and isolated from residential systems.

As technology advances, developers are exploring new methods such as graywater reuse, direct-to-chip cooling and air-based systems that reduce or eliminate the need for traditional cooling water. The county will continue gathering information to ensure future projects use the most efficient and environmentally responsible designs available.

Energy and Infrastructure Questions

We’ve received many thoughtful questions about how potential data center projects could interact with the local power grid, utilities and energy systems. These are important topics — and we appreciate the community’s interest.

At this time, no data center proposal has been submitted for review in Calvert County, and many of these questions can only be answered by the applicant, the local utility provider or state regulatory agencies during the formal review process.

While the county is committed to transparency and public engagement, we are not the subject matter experts on grid operations or utility infrastructure. Accurate answers will depend on the specific design, scale and location of any future project.

We will continue coordinating with our state and utility partners to share verified information as it becomes available.

What are the negatives vs. positives?

Data centers can bring substantial revenue for public services and generally have limited long-term traffic impacts. However, if growth isn’t carefully planned, they may cause changes to land use and the visual landscape, as seen in other fast-growing data center regions.

What is the estimated tax revenue, and will it stay in Calvert?

Tax revenue depends on the size of a proposed project, and local revenues are used to support county services like schools, roads and public safety.

Who initiated the data center project and why were there no hearings?

There is currently no active project. Any future proposal must go through public hearings in accordance with the county’s Zoning Ordinance.

What are costs vs. benefits compared to the Cove Point LNG facility?

Each major industrial project is unique, making direct comparisons difficult. Any future proposal would include a fiscal and impact analysis available for public review.

Who monitors compliance with zoning, environmental, and health regulations?

County departments and state agencies, such as the Maryland Department of the Environment, oversee compliance through permitting, inspections and ongoing monitoring.

After construction, how many permanent jobs will a data center have?

After construction, a data center can provide approximately 100 permanent jobs, depending on its size and design.

What types of trades or skills are needed to keep a data center running?

Data centers rely on facilities technicians, IT and network staff, electrical and mechanical technicians, security personnel, and general site operations staff.

Will local workers or contractors be prioritized?

Developers often hire local trades for construction, and the county encourages local participation whenever possible.

Which sites in Calvert are being considered, and why Lusby?

No specific sites have been selected. Data centers are only permitted in industrial zones or areas where they are conditionally allowed.

Were zoning laws changed to accommodate data centers?

Recent zoning updates introduced definitions and standards to allow the county to manage emerging industries, including data centers, under clear and regulated conditions, demonstrating a proactive rather than reactive approach to the growing demand for data centers.

Will TDRs be needed, and where will they come from?

No, Transferable Development Rights are only needed for certain residential development, depending on density. 

Are data center size limits planned, such as for hyperscale campuses?

While the county’s Zoning Ordinance does not set a specific numerical limit, all data center proposals must comply with zoning, setback, and buffering requirements established in the ordinance.

How close can data center facilities be to residential homes?

Under the county’s Zoning Ordinance, a data center must maintain a 200-foot setback from all property lines and be at least 400 feet away from any lot or parcel with an existing residential building or an active residential building permit.

What land-use conflicts could arise, such as traffic, wastewater or noise?

Potential conflicts vary from project to project and are addressed through site plan conditions, infrastructure requirements and adherence to local ordinances.

What cybersecurity risks do data centers have?

Data centers face risks like hacking, data theft and service disruptions. Data center operators protect against these with strong access controls, encryption, monitoring and staff training.

Why was this project negotiated without public hearings?

There is no active project. Any future proposal would include public hearings, notifications, and opportunities for community input before approval.

Have any applications already been submitted?

No, there are currently no agreements and no project proposals have been submitted to the county.

Were there public meetings before planning?

The county is currently hosting informational sessions. Formal public hearings will occur if and when an application is filed. Additionally, on October 22, 2024, Josh Levi, president of the Data Center Coalition, gave a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners outlining what data centers are, their role in the economy, and potential benefits and challenges. Watch the presentation.

What is the timeline for construction and operations?

Construction and setup can take several months or more, depending on a project’s size. By local regulation, construction must begin within three years of project approval.

Is it true servers are replaced every 3–5 years? Where does waste go?

Replacement cycles vary by operator and equipment use. Most components are recycled or managed through certified e-waste programs and vendor take-back initiatives in compliance with environmental regulations.