In the coming months, Maryland leaders will implement policies that will either attract data centers to the state and grow our economy or risk sending the jobs to our neighbors. In particular, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) is at the center of a debate about where and how data centers should get their electricity.
On behalf of the more than 25,000 workers we represent, we encourage Maryland’s leaders to create an environment where data centers can thrive. This is the industry of the future for working families in Maryland.
On Sept. 24, the PSC convened a technical conference to assess whether a new data center in Maryland should only be built if it is connected to the electric grid — also known as grid-connected — or if they can draw power directly from an existing power plant — also known as co-located. This is a false choice. Both options must be available to attract data centers and create jobs in Maryland.
Data centers already employ thousands of workers year-round during construction, in addition to workers maintaining ongoing operations and equipment upgrades. Growth in the industry across the region has enabled our unions to recruit apprentices from underserved communities and to partner with small minority-owned businesses.
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