Joint Special Meeting of Calvert County Planning and Environmental Commissions on Data Centers - April 15, 2026

This joint special work session between the Calvert County Planning Commission and Calvert County Environmental Commission was convened at 7:00 PM on April 15, 2026, at the County Administration Building in Prince Frederick, MD. The meeting was directed by the Board of County Commissioners to discuss the Environmental Commission's recommendations regarding data centers, specifically a proposed moratorium and environmental impact study. The Planning Commission will use this input to develop its own recommendation to the BOCC at a later date. No formal votes or official actions were taken during this work session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carl L. Wine (representing neighbors of Camp Kanoi Road): Expressed strong opposition, citing that a 55 dB noise limit is unacceptable given existing ambient levels of 35 dB. He noted that the proposed AWS facility (200,000+ sq. ft. each for eight buildings) would be four times louder and dramatically change the county. He requested ambient noise measurements at all residences.
• Patrick Flaherty (Lusby resident, candidate for commissioner): Called for complete removal of data center language from the zoning ordinance and a full reset with independent studies. He questioned why warehouses were not redefined to exclude data centers.
• Camille Finch (Lusby resident, relies on well water): Opposed data centers due to strain on water, energy, air quality, noise, light pollution, and grid pressures. She stated, "We should not have to trade our health, environment, and quality of life for limited economic benefit."
• Joseph Oliver: Proposed placing a ballot question before voters to decide on data centers.
• Vic Faum: Supported independent studies paid for by companies, but emphasized that even if studies find no harm, the impact on adjacent residential property values and quality of life must be considered. He noted Natelli consultants were evasive.
• Jeff Dixon (Code Point Road resident): Described the area as a "sacrifice zone" and played a news clip of data center noise compared to a helicopter hovering all day and night. He opposed adding more noise.
• Sheila Kufal (Lusby): Supported the Environmental Commission's scientific approach. She noted evaporative cooling can release heavy metals into the atmosphere.
• Susan DeZurick (Keep Calvert Country): Stated that AWS did not answer submitted questions at their public presentation. She requested a special meeting with AWS, Natelli, and SMECO before the Planning Commission.
• Jason Skaggs (excavating contractor and candidate for at-large commissioner): Criticized lack of transparency and fast-tracking, noting it took him five years to get a permit while this project is being rushed. Requested a temporary hold on permits.
• Kim Woodruff Adams: Expressed frustration with lack of replies to emails and requested clarity on commissioners' decision-making and history of revisions.
• Leonard Zouza (Solomons): Reinforced that critical information has not been provided. He noted that at the April 7 BOCC meeting, it was stated the federal government has no regulations for data centers and that violations would only result in small fines.
• Sylvia Batang (Port Republic): Supported the moratorium and removal of data centers from I-1 and I-2 zoning. She advocated for quarterly transparent reviews of pollutants and requiring the highest EPA generator standards.
• Claire Hill (Huntingtown): Raised concerns about secrecy, referencing a comment at CSM event that the data center was "already done." She noted the commission itself was not aware of an MDE submission until someone brought it up.
• Dylan Johnson (St. Leonard): Acknowledged economic benefits but called for truly independent studies paid for by the company. He expressed skepticism about MDE studies and the university research cited.
• Lady Sheeline (Port Republic): Recalled that the Environmental Commission's comments on LNG were suppressed by the BOCC. She stressed the need for an independent study, as MDE impact assessments have been shallow. She advocated that any restrictions must have enforcement "teeth."
• Patty Stuckler (candidate for county commissioner at large): Opposed data centers and asked for a pause to answer questions. She highlighted that a county-owned BGE field is adjacent to the proposed AWS site.
• Kimberly Schifflet (Camp Kanoi Road homeowner): Requested a 2,000-foot buffer between residential properties and heavy industrial data center development, citing noise, light, and property value concerns.
• Margaret Schillingford (Port Republic): Asked that studies include impact on weather patterns from heat islands.
• Dawn McNulis (St. Leonard): Opposed data centers, noting they require constant power and water, and that Loudoun County has over 600 operating data centers. She expressed concern about pollution of St. Leonard Creek affecting crabs.
• Bill Kurtz (Drum Point, retired teacher): Questioned what happened to athletic fields and $3 million from LNG deal. He expressed concern about low-frequency noise affecting grandchildren's school.
• Parker Coyer (Huntingtown, new resident): Asked for full public fact-finding, noting he moved to Calvert County to raise his children in the country. Stated, "If we're asking this many questions now, why is this still moving forward?"
• Cindy Gilmore: Asked that noise regulations be based on actual monitoring of LNG plant, as current regulations are ineffective.
• Tom Clark (IBEW Local 26): Supported data centers for good jobs ($150,000/year with pension). He noted 687 active members in Calvert County and called for no moratorium.
• Charles Somers (Huntingtown, member of Pipefitters Union 602): Said he was initially supporting for jobs but then encouraged by thorough questioning. He emphasized need to balance living-wage jobs with environmental protection.
• Garth Run Sickle (Lusby): Questioned why Lusby is the "sacrificial zone" and asked why rezoning to heavy industry occurred. Suggested other locations be studied.
• Shanna Godassart (Prince Frederick): Expressed confusion over mission, noting that tourism relies on oysters and crabs. She asked about aquifer depletion and drought impacts.
• Philip Yates (Lows Peak): Noted he was torn but emphasized that new data centers must not use wells for cooling. He argued sound barriers could mitigate noise and that without data centers, massive housing developments would come.
• Skip Hoskins (Lusby): Called for stopping the process, stating that sound barriers don't work in Loudoun County and closed-loop cooling still requires water discharge.

Discussion Items

• Environmental Commission Presentation: Chair Abby Ibar presented the Commission's April 2, 2026, letter recommending an immediate pause and formal moratorium on data center permitting to allow completion of a comprehensive environmental impact statement. They raised concerns about fragile ecosystems, wetlands, noise, infrasound, endangered species, and national security risks due to co-location with a nuclear power plant and LNG facility.
• Planning Commission Queries: Commissioners asked about adequacy of existing review processes (MDE, Army Corps, DNR) and whether they would be sufficient. Dr. Andy Rogers noted that 24-hour noise averages can whitewash impacts. Dr. David Campbell stated that even if feds do not regulate data centers, they regulate wetlands. Environmental Planner Colleen Brumman explained that endangered species review is part of forest conservation, but independent double-checking is not typically done.
• Proposed Text Amendments: Commissioner Barry suggested draft amendments including: banning groundwater for cooling; establishing a 55 dB C-weighted standard for low-frequency noise (300 Hz and below); requiring decommissioning plans with surety bonds; traffic management plans with bonds for road damage; limiting generator testing to weekdays 10am-4pm; and requiring EPA Tier 4 final emission standards for generators. Dr. Janette Waisaki noted that generator testing still produces air pollution and that e-waste disposal must be addressed.
• Legal Clarifications: County Attorney Madley confirmed that text amendments are presumed permanent but can be changed. Director Brinkley warned that removing data center definitions could allow them to be built as warehouses in many more locations. He stated that current data centers have applied to the state but not yet to the county; the county site plan process takes at least six months, often longer.
• Call for Formal Proposal: Commissioner Burry asked the Environmental Commission to develop a formal proposal outlining the scope, timeline, cost, and contractor selection for an independent environmental impact study. The Commission agreed to do so.
• Discussion of Zoning Removal: Commissioner Gadway asked whether the Environmental Commission would support removing data centers from I-2 (heavy industrial) entirely. The Commission said it needed more background but called it a "great start." Legal concerns about spot zoning were raised but deemed not problematic if done countywide.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or actions were taken. The meeting was a work session only.
• The Planning Commission will consider the Environmental Commission's input when developing its own recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners at a later date.
• The Environmental Commission agreed to produce a formal proposal for an independent environmental impact study, including scope, timeline, cost estimate, and contractor selection process.
• Commissioner Barry committed to drafting text amendments on noise, decommissioning bonds, traffic management, generator testing, and emission standards to be considered in the regular meeting following this work session.
• Public testimony overwhelmingly opposed data centers, with many calling for a moratorium or complete removal from zoning. A few speakers (union representatives) supported data centers for job creation.
• The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM, with a brief recess before the regular Planning Commission meeting.