The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Somerset County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Maryland requires large data centers to undergo review, public reporting, and project commitments; projects not deemed aligned may lose coordinated review and discretionary state support. Separate state coordination efforts encourage partnerships but add no data-center-specific building or operating requirements; the review order does not change local zoning.
Rating and summary from Maryland statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Somerset County.
Specific to Somerset County only.
pending · County measureProposes a one-year pause on new data-center siting in Somerset County while officials consider regulations.Somerset County, Maryland proposed one-year data center moratorium (2026)
What this means
Conditional anti-data-center effect: the proposed one-year moratorium on the siting of data centers would temporarily delay covered siting activity only if adopted. Later reporting still describes consideration; adoption and any operative legal restriction remain unverified. Exact coverage and treatment of existing facilities or pending applications are unverified.
Timing
- Ends
- Proposed duration of one year if adopted; commencement and expiration dates are unverified.
Reporting recommends a one-year moratorium on the siting of data centers. Adoption is unverified, so this describes the proposed temporary measure, not an operative restriction. Early termination, extension authority, exemptions, and application-processing rules are unverified. The county’s cannabis moratorium is unrelated and excluded.
People behind it
- Jesse Drewer
Somerset Planning and Zoning Director; told commissioners Tuesday that county code does not include any meaningful restrictions on data centers.
- Eldon Willing
Somerset County Commissioner; warned about possible state action overriding local restrictions; no sponsorship or vote attributed.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Proposed one-year moratorium on the siting of data centers. Adoption and operative scope remain unverified; this is not a confirmed current prohibition.
Sources
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