Bright key facts / Emerging
Maryland makes data-center commitments public.
Maryland ordered project ratings and monthly public power-and-water disclosure for certain data-center proposals of at least 25 megawatts that seek discretionary state engagement.
- AI’s role
- AI-related computing demand is part of the pressure behind large data-center proposals; the documented result is a public review and disclosure policy, not an AI system.
- Documented result
- The signed order directs state agencies to review covered data-center projects of at least 25 megawatts that seek discretionary state engagement. It calls for written Aligned, Conditionally Aligned or Not Aligned ratings and a monthly public dashboard that includes projected power demand and water use.
- Important limitation
- The order applies through discretionary state engagement and excludes higher-education, healthcare, state-government and U.S. Department of Defense facilities; it is not a rule for every large building or data center in Maryland.