Amazon withdraws plans to build data centers near nuclear plant in Calvert County

Amazon has withdrawn its proposal to build data centers near Constellation Energy’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Southern Maryland, county officials announced on Tuesday.

The decision comes after some Calvert County residents pushed back on the proposal, expressing concerns about the environmental and health impacts. Proponents of the development said it would have generated new tax revenue for the region. The Seattle-based e-commerce and web services company wanted to build data centers on 2,000 acres of land near the plant, and it would have included seven facilities across three campuses.

In another news release, officials said the Calvert County Board of Commissioners would hold a public hearing on Aug. 18 to consider a “temporary six-month moratorium” on approving any data center development projects.

“The proposed ordinance would establish a temporary moratorium to allow time to review and adopt regulations and zoning ordinance text amendments related to data centers and heavy industrial use conditions, and to complete any necessary studies or analysis,” the news release said.

There are not many data centers in Maryland, though some have been proposed or are stuck in approval limbo following local backlash. Meanwhile, counties in neighboring Virginia host hundreds, with Loudoun County known as “Data Center Alley.”

Data centers have become more prevalent in recent years as tech companies expand their artificial intelligence capabilities. The construction of the center has drawn bipartisan anger in cities across the country, as many worry about water usage, noise pollution and higher energy costs.

Banner reporter Bria Overs contributed to this article.