Update as of 12/16: The General Assembly voted today to override the Governor’s Veto on the Data Center Study Bill! Thank you to the Senators and Representatives who voted today for transparency around data center development, and the hundreds of Marylanders who wrote and called demanding this override!
Update as of 12/9: Governor Wes Moore has signed an executive order to call a special session on Tuesday, 12/16. First, outgoing Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones will be honored, then the new Speaker will be confirmed, and then vetoes need to be addressed.
We had five weeks to demand a veto override — we now have five days. We need YOU to call President Ferguson and Presumptive Speaker Peña-Melnyk to bring the override to the floor. Then, call your Representatives to tell them to vote FOR the veto override.
Update as of 12/8: After launching this override campaign, Speaker Jones stepped down from her position. We thank her for her many decades of public service. According to news sources, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk will be the incoming Speaker of the House. We are excited to work with the new Speaker — please welcome her to the position when communicating the importance of an override.
Data center development is the single largest land use of our lifetime — and we do not have the information that we need to build data centers responsibly for the benefit of all Marylanders.
That’s where you come in. We need your help.
In order to get a veto override, Senate President Bill Ferguson and future Speaker of the House Joseline Peña-Melnyk need to put the data center study bill back on the docket for voting. From there, our legislators can vote to override the veto, and from our conversations, many of them are ready to vote for the Study Bill that they already passed! We need you to apply pressure to Ferguson and Peña-Melnyk to allow our representatives to speak for their constituents as they originally had.
Data centers have been an increasing issue in Maryland, starting with the 2024 Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act, which made an exception for data centers to use diesel generators. We were disheartened by the veto of the Data Center Study Bill last General Assembly, but with your help, we can ensure that we have the data we need to develop in a way that supports all Marylanders.
The Ask
First: Call and email Incoming Speaker Peña-Melnyk and President Ferguson to bring the Data Center Study Bill veto to a vote as soon as General Assembly starts.
Future Speaker of the House Joseline Peña-Melnyk:
Phone: (410) 841-3502 or, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3502 (toll free)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (410) 841-3600 or 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3600 (toll free)
Email: [email protected]
Extra Credit: After calling Incoming Speaker Peña-Melnyk and President Ferguson, call and email your representative (find out who that is here)!
Ask them, “If the Data Center Study Bill veto override vote came to the floor, will you vote to override the veto?”
→ Yes: Thank them, and let them know that you have just called Peña-Melnyk and Ferguson to bring the override back to the docket.
→ No: Ask them what is holding them back from voting for the override, and drive home the importance of data center information.
Collective Power Hours
Update as of 12/11: The veto overrides will likely happen on December 16th, therefore the December 17th Collective Power Hour is cancelled. Please take action TODAY before December 16th!
Over the next two weeks, we’ll be hosting Collective Power Hours on December 10th and 17th, from 12 – 1 pm EST.
What is a Collective Power Hour you ask? In short, it’s a virtual meetup (via Zoom) where we will touch base with other environmental advocates, distribute scripts for the particular ask, and share lessons learned. Sign up below for the day that works best for you!
Collective Power Hours are a way to set aside time for taking action, reach out and educate others on why Marylanders need the Data Center Study Bill, as well as hold ourselves accountable.
Not sure where to start? Read our Data Center Fast Facts sheet here: