HOME

A referendum is a vote by citizens on measures passed by legislative bodies referred to the Board of Elections by a verified petition effort by the citizens.

The Frederick County Data Center Referendum Committee seeks to refer Ordinance 26-01-001 to a vote by the citizens of Frederick County.
Ordinance 26-01-001 Frederick County Council Website: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/16213

Demand a Referendum on Data Centers!

Join the movement to let the voters decide about data center expansion in Frederick County.
On December 23rd, the Frederick County Council decided to expand the current Eastalco data center complex by nearly 1000 acres. The Council made this decision despite vehement opposition from nearly every environmental, land preservation, smart growth group in the County, the Farm Bureau, and both Maryland Legislative delegations. Public opposition to the expanded data center zone was massive. A rushed expansion of data center development in Frederick County is a bad policy.
  • The County approved the expansion without having performed an independent Cost Benefit Analysis.
  • The expansion would rezone agricultural lands to industrial that are currently designated Priority Preservation and in the Rural Legacy Area.
  • This development would permanently destroy forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats.
  • An expanded data center zone will create the need for new transmission line projects raise our electric bills and strain our water supply.
Data center development in Frederick County brings enormous environmental, electric grid, and financial impacts. Increasing by 1000 acres the land set aside for data centers before thoroughly studying these impacts is unwise, premature, and unpopular. The voters of Frederick County should decide a question of this importance.
  • In Maryland, a referendum is a vote by citizens on measures passed by legislative bodies referred to the Board of Elections by a verified petition effort by the citizens.
  • Citizens of Frederick County, MD seek to refer Ordinance 26-01-001 to a vote by the citizens of Frederick County.
Please sign the referendum petition. Let the people decide!