Lawmakers in at least eight states are considering or have already passed legislation to encourage data center construction, reflecting the desire to attract a booming industry that is also raising environmental concerns.
The Maryland legislature on Friday gave final approval to a bill that Gov. Wes Moore (D) requested in response to a data center company pulling out of a major project after being denied an exemption to build enough diesel-powered backup generators necessary to run it during an emergency. The measure would exempt such companies from the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
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