All data center permits and applications in Prince George’s County are on pause because of an executive order amid public outcry. It comes as the County Council adopted a resolution to halt all reviews and approvals of future data center projects.
Residents rallied, signed a petition and went to community meetings to voice their opposition to bringing the technology facilities to the county.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy signed the executive order Monday night, and Councilwoman Wala Blegay introduced the resolution on Tuesday.
“If we’re going to move forward, we have to set standards and we have to make sure that it’s well thought-out, and at this point, we’re not at the point of where it’s well thought-out; we haven’t even finished recommendations or gotten to the end of our recommendations from the task force,” Blegay said.
The old Landover Mall site is at the center of the debate. It’s in Councilwoman Shayla Adams-Stafford’s district.
“I think that this property has sat there for over 25 years, and I think residents really want something there that will be community-based and they feel upset and concerned that this was moved through so quickly,” she said.
Council members passed the resolution in an 8-0 vote. County leaders say the task force was created earlier this year after the county voted in November to table the approval process for new data centers. Task force members include council members, residents and data center experts.
Since May, task force leaders say they’ve toured a Virginia data center, met with nearby Frederick County and hosted community meetings.
Taylor Frazier created an online petition that has more than 20,000 signatures. She showed up on Tuesday to see leaders pass the resolution.
“I’m really grateful to all the council members that did sponsor the resolution, and I wanted to just let them know that I appreciate their support and the people in Landover appreciate their support as well,” she said.
The data center task force is expected to have resolutions by the end of November and give them to the County Council, which is then expected to take about six months to move forward with any legislation.
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