EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot County’s prior local data-center debate sits beside a new statewide rulebook: Annapolis just codified how large projects seeking State action will be judged, without naming a Talbot applicant.

Gov. Wes Moore on Sept. 23, 2026, signed Executive Order 01.01.2026.16, Responsible Data Center Development in Maryland. The order creates one standard, one review process, and one public record for every large data center proposed in Maryland that covers 25 megawatts or more as soon as it seeks any State action — including a permit, incentive, or letter of support. The governor also announced support for working with the General Assembly in the upcoming session to repeal the Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption originally enacted in 2020.

The executive order establishes the Maryland Data Center Accountability Task Force, administered and staffed by the Governor’s Office. Press materials describe the same body as the Maryland Data Center Task Force. Members include the Maryland Energy Administration and the departments of Commerce, Labor, Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Planning. The task force reviews projects, publishes rules in advance, maintains a public Data Center Dashboard, and supports local governments. For every project under review, the dashboard is to show location and legislative districts, the developer, parent company and any disclosed anchor tenant, and projected power demand and water use.

The order’s WHEREAS clauses state that a majority of Maryland’s counties have adopted temporary moratoria on data center development and have asked the State for guidance. That county-moratoria context is the Mid-Shore angle for readers who followed Talbot’s earlier local coverage; this EO does not list a Talbot County applicant or project site.

“While federal inaction and Donald Trump's aggressive rollback of safety regulations have granted Big Tech free reign [sic] to write their own rules – raising electricity bills and polluting our air and water – our administration is taking action to put control in the hands of Marylanders,” Moore said. “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.”

Readers tracking local land-use filings still use county and municipal records for any Talbot site proposal. The Sept. 23 statewide order is the Annapolis framework for projects that seek State engagement at the 25-megawatt threshold.