The data on data centers is clear: nobody wants them except the tech/surveillance firms, and the billionaire class.

The people in counties that have fought data centers know they cause skyrocketing electricity bills, create undue pressure on public infrastructure, and poison natural resources and water. State leaders want YOU to foot the bill for this.

Annapolis politicians from both parties have listened to the corporations and their lobbyists and not the people of Maryland. Bipartisan legislation in Annapolis provided massive tax breaks to data center companies and removed state level regulation of their power generation. At the state level and the county level much of the dealmaking between government and industry has occurred in secret with iron-clad NDAs.

Governor Moore proudly proclaimed in May of 2024 that his administration’s goal is to  “Supercharge the data center industry” in Maryland.

Andy’s campaign is saying STOP THE DATA CENTERS. Andy’s plan includes:

A day one executive order to:

  • Stop all data center permit approvals from state agencies.

  • Prohibit any state agency from engaging in NDAs with data center developers, or AI, or surveillance companies. 

  • Conduct immediate audits of MDE enforcement of existing regulation.

  • Create a data center, surveillance, and AI transparency task force that focuses on Hogan and Moore administrations’ relationships with industry, lobbying, and county governments.

In 2027 Andy would sponsor legislation pursuing policy to:

  • Ban new data center construction and permitting.

  • Repeal any existing state level tax breaks or incentives.

  • Tax AI and crypto transactions.

  • Prohibit county or municipal governments from entering into NDAs with data center developers and surveillance companies.

  • Ban campaign donations  from data center operators similar to laws that exist for certain gambling interests. 

  • Repeal the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act as it applies to power generation for data centers. 

  • Pursue strictest in the nation regulation on water, land, energy, sound and emissions for existing facilities.