What They’re Saying: Local Community Leaders, Key Stakeholders Praise Governor Moore’s AI Principles and Data Center Executive Order
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore this week announced an AI framework that outlines his administration’s core principles — centered on Maryland communities, workers, and children — for the responsible development, deployment, and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) codifying strict guardrails for transparent and accountable data center development in Maryland.
Leaders from across the state and key stakeholders are praising Governor Moore’s strong and proactive leadership to protect Marylanders from the risks of artificial intelligence and data center expansion in the absence of federal regulations. Here’s what they had to say:
Maryland Matters: New data centers in Maryland to get additional scrutiny under governor’s order
- Environmental group Food & Water Watch said in a statement it was “glad the governor is pledging to roll back the tax exemptions and wants to regulate this wild industry”
Baltimore Sun: Moore creates new review process for large Maryland data centers
- The Maryland Association of Counties praised Moore’s executive order, saying the administration’s approach is consistent with the group’s goals of preserving local land-use authority and protecting ratepayers.
WYPR: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore creates data center review task force, wants to end tax exemption
- Regional climate advocacy nonprofit Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) released a statement on Wednesday calling the executive order a “positive step”
WTOP: ‘The people are fed up’: Md. governor signs executive order targeting data centers
- The [executive order] makes it clear that before any new data centers can move forward with the required state-issued permits, the projects will have to be aligned with five new principles aimed at increasing accountability and transparency, which he touched on in a speech early this morning before signing the new order.
- “Truthfully, the people are fed up, and so am I,” Moore said.
- The order creates a single standard and review process for any large data center proposal in Maryland, which covers the permit and incentive process, as well as any public letter of support being sought. It calls on data centers to hire local builders and make sure any new facility won’t add strain to the electric grid. It also requires local residents who live near the proposed site to have more influence in the process.
The Baltimore Banner: Moore proposes AI rules to protect Marylanders, wading into national debate
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a series of proposals to regulate the artificial intelligence industry in the state on Tuesday, joining the national conversation about what government should do about the rapidly improving technology.
- Despite debate and concerns on Capitol Hill, Congress has failed to act on artificial intelligence — and governors like Moore are stepping in.
- Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) signs an executive order that will establish principles that data centers must follow if they seek to build in Maryland.
- "I want to create more opportunities and more pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders, but our families come first, and our children come first, not a developers' timeline, and not a corporation's bottom line," he says.
- The governor also plans to push for the repeal of tax exemptions for data centers in the state legislature.
NBC News: Democratic governors rush to rein in AI amid tech industry and voter concerns
- “AI is moving faster than the safeguards around it. Marylanders should not have to wait for a disaster or, frankly, for Congress to be protected,” Moore said.
CBS News: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore outlines safety and regulatory guidelines for AI
- "This technology is already here, and we believe Maryland is the best state in the country to benefit from the promise of AI responsibly – but we can't afford to wait while Washington sits on their hands. These core principles will guide our every action to protect our people, center our workers, and keep our kids safe."
WMAR: Governor Moore unveils Maryland AI plan with new protections for workers, children and consumers
- For workers, the plan calls for greater involvement from employees and unions as AI is introduced into workplaces, along with additional training and programs to help workers adapt.
- The framework also calls for stronger protections for children using AI chatbots and social media, as well as standards for AI tools used in Maryland schools.
WBAL- 11: Maryland moves forward with AI regulation plan focused on worker and child protections
- "Let's be clear. My fear is not China. My fear is a technology that no human being can control. And so we’ve got to understand that there has to be that delicate balance of cooperation and competition. As a governor, I’m very competitive with my other governors. But I do understand there are places where we actually more where the focus is cooperation and not competition," Moore said.
Daily Record: Moore to pursue right of publicity statute as part of state AI framework
- To temper the industry’s impact in Maryland, the Moore administration in a news release Tuesday said its AI subcabinet is developing legislative recommendations for the General Assembly, including establishing the right of publicity, worker protections, safety and testing frameworks, independent third-party audits and whistleblower protections, in an effort to regulate companies.
- Further, the Moore administration announced Tuesday that it plans to prioritize the safety of Maryland’s children by working with Attorney General Anthony Brown to increase protections regarding the addictive design of social media, and will work with the General Assembly and State Department of Education to mandate that schools implement policies for all AI tools students interact with.
WTOP: Maryland Gov. Moore unveils new AI strategy with more protections
- “AI shouldn’t be able to quietly decide who gets a loan, or housing, or healthcare or a government benefit without accountability and a human in the loop,” Moore said in his video statement. “Maryland already requires safeguards for high-risk AI in state government, including bias testing, impact assessments and human oversight.”
Bloomberg Government News: Maryland Prepares New Restrictions on Data Center Construction
- “If the federal government has decided that they want to just take away all the guardrails and just do giveaways to Big Tech because it’s part of the president’s personal portfolio, then that is not going to stand inside of the state of Maryland,” Moore said during a news conference.
CBS News: Moore signs executive order establishing Maryland's data center policy. Here's what it says.
- Moore said large data centers will be subject to "one standard, one review process and one public record" as soon as they seek any state action, including permits, incentives or letters of support.
- "Each project is judged on five principles: Ratepayer and grid protection, economic benefits for Marylanders, community voice, environmental protections, and transparency and accountability," the governor said in Wednesday's news release.
NBC4: Maryland Gov. Moore unveils AI framework, limits tax exemptions for data centers
- "By signing this executive order, we are establishing clear safeguards to ensure Marylanders do not foot the bill, our people benefit, community voices are heard, and our environment is protected — all while centering transparency and accountability throughout the process," Moore said of data centers.
The Daily Record: Moore creates uniform data center development framework as opponents call for moratoriums, bans
- “The data centers were the ones calling the shots. Data centers and corporations were the ones writing the rules,” Moore said of the tax exemption during a Wednesday morning news conference. “Today, that ends, because I am signing an executive order to make sure that, when data centers come to the state of Maryland, Marylanders always come first.”
RollingOut: Wes Moore’s bold data center plan rests on 5 key principles
- In a statement about the order, Moore criticized what he described as federal inaction and the current administration’s rollback of safety regulations. He argued that those moves have allowed large technology companies to set their own rules, which he said has driven up electricity bills and polluted air and water.
- Moore said the order is designed to put control back in the hands of Marylanders. He added that the new safeguards are meant to ensure residents do not pay the price for development, that communities benefit and that the environment is protected, all while keeping the process transparent and accountable.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden
“Governor Moore’s order is a step in the right direction to ensure Maryland does not jeopardize our health, clean air, and clean water for the rapid growth of data centers. Data centers are a growing threat to our environment and communities, and are rightly a top concern for people who call Maryland home.
“The public deserves to know how much water and power these buildings will use, how much pollution they’ll produce, and what actions are being taken before and after construction to ensure sustainability and accountability. We appreciate the Moore administration’s attention to these concerns and commitment to creating one standard for project reviews across the state.”
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
“Maryland LCV applauds Governor Moore for his Executive Order on Responsible Data Center Development. It has become exceedingly clear that the data center industry needs more oversight. Today, the Moore Administration demonstrated strong leadership by establishing a clear roadmap to ensure ratepayers and the environment will not bear the burden of future data center development in Maryland.
“The Executive Order directs State agencies to guarantee that transparency, economic investments, and community protections are in place in Maryland amid the region’s data center growth. We are especially pleased that the Task Force created in the Executive Order will consider Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions and clean energy targets as part of their assessment of data center projects. Additionally, we appreciate the Executive Order explicitly calling for an assessment of cumulative impacts of data centers and any nearby facilities.”
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