Maryland Data Center News

May 11, 2026

Senate Bill Would Explore Satellite Broadband Expansion Across Appalachia

The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, introduced by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), would require the Appalachian Regional Commission to study the incorporation of satellite broadband into regional broadband projects.

Requires Appalachian Regional Commission study: The bill would direct the Appalachian Regional Commission to evaluate satellite broadband effectiveness for business use, examine economic development outcomes in areas already using satellite connectivity, and assess the overall cost-effectiveness of the technology; if the study finds satellite effective, rural businesses and communities could seek ARC funding under the commission’s programs.
Context and supporting details: The proposal builds on a House companion bill passed by unanimous voice vote in March; the ARC currently prioritizes fiber-optic infrastructure but funds other technologies that provide “fiber-like” experiences in challenging terrain; the article cites an Ookla white paper finding Starlink increasingly meets the FCC benchmark of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

May 8, 2026

World-leading climate centre takes Trump administration to court

UCAR (the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) has sued the US government and asked a court to freeze plans to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Main action:UCAR (a coalition of around 130 universities) sued the government in March and on 3 April asked a US district court judge to freeze plans to transfer stewardship of NCAR’s supercomputing centre in Cheyenne, Wyoming; a court hearing took place on 7 May and Judge R. Brooke Jackson said he would issue a decision “as promptly as possible”.
Background and timeline: Documents show the White House budget office instructed the NSF in November to begin restructuring NCAR to align with Administration priorities; the NSF requested proposals and public comments (deadline 13 March) but told NCAR officials on 12 February that it had decided to transfer the supercomputing centre; UCAR argues the process is a “sham process” while the NSF says “a final decision has not been made to transfer stewardship.”

May 7, 2026

50 States of Power Decarbonization Q1 2026: Lawmakers Tackle Cost Allocation and Ratepayer Protections for Large Load Additions

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center released the Q1 2026 edition of the 50 States of Power Decarbonization report.

Report release & key findings: The Q1 2026 report documents 509 actions taken by 49 states plus Puerto Rico during the quarter and notes more than 600 introduced bills not yet passed. It reports planned capacity additions of 58,276 MW solar, 54,952 MW natural gas, 30,297 MW storage, and 22,358 MW wind, and 30,967 MW of planned coal retirements.
Top developments & context: The report highlights top policy developments including the Arizona Corporation Commission repealing the state renewable energy standard, Florida requiring large load tariffs, a North Carolina task force report on large load growth, Virginia rejoining RGGI, and El Paso Electric proposing large load tariffs in New Mexico; the most active states in Q1 2026 were Virginia, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Arizona.

May 5, 2026

IQ Fiber Launches Fiber-Optic Internet Service in Pinellas County, Florida

IQ Fiber has launched 100 percent fiber-optic internet service in Pinellas County, Florida, covering St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo.

Launch: IQ Fiber launched 100% fiber-optic internet service in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo); Investment: marks the beginning of a more than $100 million investment in the region; Jobs: expected to create more than 50 permanent jobs.
Background & footprint: Jacksonville-based company founded in 2021 with funding from SDC Capital Partners; current network serves Jacksonville and Gainesville (FL) and areas in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, and South Carolina; public comments quoted IQ Fiber CEO Ted Schremp and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector.

May 5, 2026

New Data Center Developments: May 2026

Data Center Knowledge published a monthly roundup highlighting global data center project announcements, regulatory moves, and investment commitments driven by hyperscale AI demand.

Main announcement: The roundup catalogs multiple concrete project actions including Aligned Data Centers’ Project Caprock (540 MW, 313-acre campus in Hale County, Texas; initial delivery Q1 2027), EdgeCore’s completion of $1.5 billion in financing for two Northern Virginia hyperscale centers, and Yondr Group energizing a 27 MW Toronto facility expected in mid-2026. It also notes major investment commitments such as Digital Realty’s near S$7 billion Singapore plan (S$4.3 billion for new data centers) and AWS increasing planned investment in Mississippi to $25 billion.
Context and details: The piece outlines parallel regulatory updates in U.S. states (Maine vetoed a moratorium; Wisconsin revised We Energies tariff rules; North Carolina advanced legislation to require hyperscalers to cover infrastructure costs), workforce and partnership initiatives (Equinix Foundation with ODATA, Cisco, Vertiv launching training in Brazil, cohorts mid-2026), and other regional projects and financings (TikTok €1 billion Finland site; Ark Data Centres >€600 million Barcelona project; Equinix land purchases in South Africa totaling ZAR 890 million).

May 3, 2026

Eric Bethras: From Fiber to Fabric, the Next Evolution of BEAD

Maryland has announced the Statewide Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG) and its in-house “Single View” platform to coordinate transportation routes, towers, government facilities, and un(der)served communities under a single, multi-use digital infrastructure strategy.

Main announcement: Maryland’s DoIT is implementing the Statewide Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG) and the Single View geospatial platform to create a unified inventory of infrastructure assets (fiber, towers, facilities, un(der)served areas) so agencies can coordinate planning, align funding, and prioritize investments; the state endorses a “Goldilocks approach” to size infrastructure for multi-use outcomes (broadband, public safety, AI-ready services).
Background and policy request: The piece, authored by Eric Bathras (DoIT CTO), urges federal action as BEAD remaining funds are considered—recommending NTIA and Congress explicitly allow states to use BEAD residual funds for middle-mile networks, shared-use assets, integrated planning platforms, and corridor-based strategies to unlock public-private collaboration; the article describes ongoing programs led by the author, including networkMaryland, Maryland MD FiRST, Cloud & Datacenter Services, and DoIT’s Infrastructure Agreements.

Apr 16, 2026

Data Centers Economic Benefits Are Overstated, Advocates Say

Advocates (MediaJustice) say data center developers are overselling economic benefits to local communities.

Main claim: Brandon Forester of MediaJustice argued developers “overstate benefits,” citing Prince George’s County’s $6 million annual revenue and saying that revenue is often reduced by incentives such as tax breaks on expensive GPUs.
Context & sourcing: This is a commentary by an advocate (not a government announcement); it references Prince George’s County revenue figures and alleges developers grant tax breaks on the most profitable parts of data centers, but does not report any new policy, contract, or formal government decision.

Apr 15, 2026

Energy company wants eminent domain for power lines in SW Pa. for data centers in Virginia

NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic Inc. is seeking a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to build the 107-mile MidAtlantic Resiliency Link and to obtain eminent domain rights in Pennsylvania.

Project details & authority: NextEra plans a 107-mile transmission line (reported as a 500-volt line in the article) from Dunkard Township, Greene County, PA to an endpoint in Northern Virginia; the project was awarded by PJM to meet data center demand and retirements, and NextEra is requesting a PUC certificate that would grant eminent domain authority.
Local impacts, economics & schedule: NextEra estimates $33 million in Pennsylvania economic output during construction and 150 construction and related jobs, while its filings state no full-time jobs will remain in-state after completion; opposition noted by the Center for Coalfield Justice cites residents’ fears of losing homes.
- Prehearing conference: May 6, 10:00 am, before Administrative Law Judge John M. Coogan (Pennsylvania PUC proceeding).

Apr 14, 2026

Opposition Toward OpenAI Brings Two Violent Attacks on CEO’s Home

San Francisco police reported two attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home within four days.

Main incident: At about 2:56 a.m. on Sunday, San Francisco police responded to possible shots fired in Russian Hill; a passenger fired a round from a car window, the license plate allowed SFPD to detain Amanda Tom (25) and Muhamad Tarik Hussein (23) and officers seized three firearms. Two days earlier a Molotov cocktail was thrown at Altman’s property gate by Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama (20); Moreno-Gama was arrested and charged with suspicion of attempted murder, arson, and possession/manufacture of an incendiary device.
Background and related details: The article references Altman’s blog post and OpenAI’s April 6 report “Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age”, highlights rising anti-AI and anti-data center sentiment (including a separate shooting at Indianapolis Councilman Ron Gibson’s home), and notes a proposed $15 billion data center backed by OpenAI and Oracle and local pushback in multiple towns.

Apr 13, 2026

House Bill to Offset Data Centers' Impact on Energy Costs Introduced

Rep. Paul Tonko introduced the Power for the People Act in the House on April 13, 2026.

Main action: The bill, the Power for the People Act, directs regulators to ensure data center developers cover the cost of the power infrastructure they require, addressing bills introduced in the House by Rep. Paul Tonko and a parallel Senate effort led in January by Sen. Chris Van Hollen. Date: April 13, 2026.
Background/details: The legislation targets the growing strain on the electric grid and on ratepayers as utilities expand infrastructure to meet demand from energy-intensive data centers; the article references both the House bill text and a Senate companion effort (no implementation timeline or financial figures provided).

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