Officials to hold meeting this month on data centers, potential impacts on town

By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Sept. 3, 2026) Berlin town officials are considering a one-year moratorium on data center applications as they seek to learn more about these facilities and the impacts they could have on the small Eastern Shore town.

At last week’s Town Council meeting, Councilman Jack Orris broached the topic of data centers — warehouse-sized buildings that house computer systems and servers to store, process, and transmit digital information — as these structures continue to gain attention nationwide. Orris said he believes Berlin should temporarily reject proposals to build data centers within municipal limits.

“I want to see if there is any appetite for the discussion of data centers in Berlin,” Orris said. “The county passed a moratorium … I personally think we should be proactive …”

The council largely concurred that pressing pause on these server farms would be beneficial.

“I don’t want a data center in the Town of Berlin,” Councilman Steve Green said in response to Orris’ remarks. “I’m just trying to figure out how we would codify it and if it’s needed. To your point, you’re not sure if it’s needed but you would rather be proactive than reactive if an application comes through planning.”

Worcester County passed a 12-month moratorium on data centers earlier this summer, which took effect in July. The ban gives officials some time to research the impacts of these facilities and develop local legislation.

Berlin’s consideration of a ban will begin with an educational presentation and discussion at the Sept. 28 mayor and council meeting.

During last week’s conversation, Councilman Jay Knerr asked if there were even any tracts of land within Berlin large enough to accommodate a data center.

Orris responded that these controversial structures can range from under 5,000 square feet to much larger. He added that a few parcels for sale in town could theoretically serve as a data center site.

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall noted that strict conditions bind data center builders, and implementing such a facility isn’t as simple as opening a brick-and-mortar retail business. He added that Berlin received interest from two data center projects in the past, but neither materialized.

“There are many state requirements,” Tyndall said. “… The state has passed electric-wise, you have to be self-sufficient. Water-wise, you have to not create an undue burden.”

According to the Maryland Department of the Environment’s website, the agency issues permits under the federal Clean Air Act to limit pollutants from data centers, like nitrogen oxides.

“These permits strictly control how long and at what capacity generators can run,” MDE’s website reads. “Every permit is a public document and requires a local community meeting and comment period before approval.”

Water usage is also a worry.

MDE says that “Data centers requiring water to cool their systems must secure a state permit that sets clear withdrawal limits to protect the local environment under the federal Clean Water Act.”

Data centers can alternatively use water from a local utility, including a county system, which operates under its own state-regulated permit.

Berlin resident Beverly Wright asked town officials to clarify their concerns about data centers.

Berlin Finance Director Natalie Saleh said data farms can create environmental consequences in the areas where they’re placed.

“There are a lot of environmental impacts from data centers,” she said. “It’s a problem nationwide when a data center comes, especially in a small community; there are a lot of disruptions. A lot of heat is generated, a lot of noise. To that point, I do think we need to be proactive. Not strict, but something in writing is absolutely advised.”

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen added that the centers can significantly burden public utilities, including electric and water.

Berlin officials plan to revisit the topic later this month. A possible moratorium on data center applications is expected to come before the Town Council as a discussion item at the group’s Sept. 28 meeting.