Maryland Voters Say No to New Data Centers

Many Marylanders are saying no to new data centers, whether they would be built anywhere in the state or right near their own neighborhoods. A recent survey shows that about seventy-eight percent of likely voters oppose the idea of a data center anywhere, and seventy-seven percent oppose one close to home. The analyst said the numbers are almost identical, so the pushback is not just a not in my backyard reaction. People worry that these facilities will raise their electric bills and make everyday goods more expensive.

When asked about possible benefits, less than half see a positive outcome. Forty-nine percent think data centers would have a mostly negative effect on the state. Only twenty-six percent believe they would bring net positives, while thirty-seven percent expect job losses or other downsides. The concern about costs is strong: eighty percent say their energy bills would go up, and ninety-four percent say the price of everyday items is already too high. These worries cut across party, income and zip code lines.

Governor Wes Moore's once promoted data centers as an economic boost, has responded by proposing a task force to study their impact, though he did not call for a halt to construction. Meanwhile, some local governments, such as Prince George's and Montgomery counties, have already paused approvals. On another tech topic, the same survey found that only twenty-three percent of respondents think artificial intelligence will help society, while sixty-seven percent expect it to hurt. About forty-nine percent say Maryland is heading in the wrong direction, compared with thirty-seven percent who see the state moving forward. Party splits are clear: half of Democrats feel optimistic, just seven percent of Republicans agree, and about a third of unaffiliated voters see a positive trend.

Economic perceptions are grim: eighty-one percent describe the past year's conditions as poor or fair, and only seventeen percent call them excellent or good. Looking ahead, forty-three percent expect things to get worse in the next twelve months. Despite this, Moore's approval rating sits at forty-nine percent, with forty-two percent disapproving. The split mirrors party loyalty: roughly seventy percent of Democrats approve, while only seven percent of Republicans do. The analyst noted that a governor has limited sway over the price of groceries or utilities, which helps explain why his support remains relatively high even when many voters are worried about their wallets.