On September 23, Governor Wes Moore signed an Executive Order that addressed his concerns for the future of data centers. You can read the Executive Order is available on the Governor’s website here, or watch the video here.
Within the Executive Order, he outlined five main priorities:
- Data centers paying their own way
- Marylanders sharing in the economic benefits from data centers
- Community voices being uplifted
- Protections for our air, water, and overall environment
- Transparency and accountability
To that end, the Executive Order established a public dashboard that would outline what commitments have been both promised and met by the State in their conversations with data centers.
Otherwise, much of the needed regulation is still unclear. You can read our press release below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2026
Nature Forward Statement on Gov. Wes Moore’s Executive Order on Data Center Development
Group praises EO as a good first step, but calls for a pause on data center development until the General Assembly enacts protections with teeth
CHEVY CHASE, MD – Nature Forward issued the following statement today in response to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order “Responsible Data Center Development in Maryland”:
“Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order is a good first step toward reining in unchecked data center growth and comes at a critical time in Maryland’s fight to protect our environment and communities, our water and air. We applaud the order’s ban on new non-disclosure agreements between State agencies and data center developers, and the establishment of a public Data Center Dashboard and developer reporting on energy, water, and backup-generator use.
“But the order falls short on environmental protections and essential community input. It lacks a clear definition of what ‘clean generation’ means. It lacks protections for farmland, forests, and overburdened communities.
“Nature Forward calls on the General Assembly to do its job to turn the EO’s principles from suggestions into the force of law with sufficient protections for Maryland’s climate, communities, and residents. And we’re calling for a total pause on data center development until the General Assembly takes such action, to make sure those applications are evaluated to the highest standard.
“In particular, Nature Forward is calling for the General Assembly to repeal the expensive 2020 tax exemptions for data centers and close the loopholes in the 2024 Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act that allow developers to bypass the authority of the Public Service Commission’s approval process.
“Maryland ratepayers are already facing ever-rising electric bills, made worse by growing data center demand. Communities are grappling with how to manage water resources during droughts, while residents are concerned about how data center development will affect housing and their neighborhoods. This Executive Order gives Maryland a way to better track these resource demands. Now, the General Assembly must put strong guardrails in place before data center development puts further pressure on our natural resources and communities.
“Nature Forward will continue to advocate for data center regulations in Maryland that protect our land and communities. Maryland can lead by making these large new electricity users pay their fair share, and accelerating clean energy and storage. We look forward to working with the Governor and General Assembly to repeal the prior tax exemption for data centers, and will continue pushing for guardrails against irresponsible data center development.”
Learn more about our work with the Marylanders for Data Center Reform Coalition.
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About Nature Forward: Throughout its history, Nature Forward, first established in 1897 as the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia, has championed nature for all by playing a pivotal role in conserving our region’s iconic natural places from development including the C&O Canal, Dyke Marsh and, most recently, Ten Mile Creek. Past member and board president, Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, is credited with launching the now global environmental movement. Nature Forward’s nature experts provide hundreds of opportunities each year for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, learn about, and protect the environment.
Contact:
Lisa Goodnight
301-450-1478