The Data Center Problem
I oppose them.
I oppose large-scale data centers in Frederick County. But before I explain why, it’s necessary to explain how I will evaluate any application that comes before the Board for a vote, because I hold every proposal to the same test, whether it’s a data center, a housing development, a warehouse, a commercial project, or an industrial facility.
The standard
The same test, every time.
Every proposal (data center, housing, warehouse, or industrial) gets held to the same five questions.
- Does this proposal protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of our community?
- Is it consistent with the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan?
- Will it negatively affect neighboring properties or existing land uses?
- Does it provide meaningful value to Frederick County as a whole?
- Do its public benefits (fiscal, employment, infrastructure, or community) outweigh its long-term costs and impacts?
- Has the applicant demonstrated that it will not cause irreversible harm to our environmental resources or critical infrastructure?
Applying it
Now put a hyperscale data center to that test.
- Does the project protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents?
- Is it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan?
- Are its impacts on neighboring property and existing land uses acceptable?
- Does it provide lasting value to Frederick County as a whole?
- Do its public benefits clearly outweigh its long-term costs and risks?
- Has the applicant demonstrated that it will not cause irreversible harm to our environmental resources or critical infrastructure?
When these questions are examined honestly and critically, the answer is no.
This is why I'm running
I founded Protect Frederick over this issue. Now I’m taking that fight inside county government.
Protest gets you on the record. A seat at the table gets you a vote. Join the campaign, or come ask me anything at the Digital Town Hall.