Investigate Data Centers' Grid Impact and Halt New Construction

Investigate the role of data center expansion in destabilizing the mid-Atlantic power grid, and block new data center construction until that investigation is complete. The U.S. Department of Energy just issued an emergency order allowing PJM Interconnection to delay seasonal maintenance and temporarily waive environmental protections just to keep the lights on. That is not a minor inconvenience. That is a warning sign. PJM operates the grid for 13 states, including Maryland, and has said the data center boom is a key driver of the pressure on that grid. Maryland families and businesses are now one hot week away from blackouts, while data centers consume power at a scale that forces emergency federal intervention. The $1.5 billion transmission upgrade recently approved by Maryland regulators shows how serious the strain has become. No new data centers should break ground until there is a clear accounting of what this industry costs the grid, who pays for the upgrades it requires, and what happens when the next heat wave hits. This is a public safety issue, and it needs to be treated like one.