LARGO, Md. — Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy on Sept. 15, 2025 announced an executive order placing a temporary hold on applications for new data centers, citing the need to study their environmental, economic and community impacts.
Executive Order No. 42–2025, signed Sept. 12, directs county permitting staff to stop accepting, considering or processing any permit applications for qualified data centers until Dec. 31, unless the order is extended or revoked. In the order, Braveboy stated it “would be prudent to place a hold on the acceptance, consideration, and processing of applications for Qualified Data Centers, in order to allow time for County agencies to make informed data center permitting decisions”.
The pause coincides with the work of the Qualified Data Centers Task Force, created by the County Council in April. The panel was directed to examine how large-scale server facilities affect local energy demand, costs to taxpayers, air and water quality, and quality of life issues such as viewsheds, open space, mobility and recreation.
Council resolution introduced
One day later, on Sept. 16, four members of the County Council introduced CR-98-2025, a resolution to pause the review and approval of new data center projects until the task force completes its work.
Council Members Wala Blegay, Krystal Oriadha, Shayla Adams-Stafford and Thomas Dernoga said in a joint statement: “We have heard directly from residents who raised concerns about the proposed data center in Landover. It is important to note that prior Council legislation passed in 2021 allowed the project to be approved by the county planning board without going to the Council for review. Under the current Council leadership, the Council is committed to ensuring future decisions are made with full transparency.”
They added that the resolution “reflects a commitment to ensuring residents have confidence that their concerns are heard and considered, supports the task force in its mission to provide informed and thoughtful guidance, and promotes balanced and responsible economic development in Prince George’s County.”
Community reaction and local impacts
Residents near proposed development sites have raised concerns about noise from rooftop chillers, loss of tree cover and open space, and the potential for data center clusters to reshape neighborhoods. The Landover Mall proposal drew a petition with more than 20,000 signatures opposing the project, underscoring community unease.
Environmental advocates argue the pause gives the county a chance to strengthen protections for the Chesapeake Bay watershed before large-scale construction begins. Developers, meanwhile, emphasize potential benefits such as jobs, tax revenue and expanded digital infrastructure.
What’s next
Maryland currently has fewer than 50 operational data centers, while Northern Virginia is home to several hundred — by far the largest concentration in the world. Industry leaders warn the state could fall behind its neighbor if projects are delayed.
The task force’s recommendations are expected by Nov. 30 and could lead to new zoning or permitting rules. The executive order expires Dec. 31 unless extended, while the council resolution would add legislative weight to the pause. Both steps mark a coordinated push to slow the pace of development while the county weighs the long-term impacts.
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ok ………. what kind of data is the data center keeping?