A Montgomery County Fifth Grader’s Petition Asks Leaders to Extend the Data Center Pause

Eden, a 10-year-old Montgomery County fifth grader, has started a petition asking county leaders to keep the county’s pause on large data centers in place longer than 18 months, until there has been a long-term study of how they affect people, animals and the environment.

Her parents asked that only her first name be used. A family friend shared the petition with Moderately MOCO. Her parents wrote that Eden has cared about animals, trees and marine life since she was a toddler, researched data centers and state and local policy on her own, and plans to present the petition at school as part of her school’s Green Team.

What the petition asks

“The issue is that this pause is only temporary, and 18 months is not long enough to gather the information we need to make a decision on whether to allow data centers to exist within our county,” the petition on Change.org says. It lists her concerns about trees and animal habitat, water use, strain on the power grid, noise and air pollution.

“We’re not asking that the idea of large data centers be extinguished,” it says. “We are asking that leaders take more time to conduct a long-term study to make sure future decisions around large data centers benefit us and our environment.”

The petition had 51 signatures toward a goal of 100 when Moderately MOCO checked it on Oct. 29.

What she plans to do next

Besides collecting signatures online, Eden has proposed a presentation on large data centers at her school so students can learn about the issue and sign if they choose, her parents wrote. Her Green Team teacher encouraged the idea and took the petition to the principal, and they are awaiting approval.

With signatures from students and online supporters, Eden hopes to deliver the petition to the County Council. Her goal, her parents wrote, is to gather as many signatures as possible and be a voice for students considered too young to help shape legislation.

The pause she wants extended

The Montgomery County Council approved Expedited Bill 19-26 on July 28, 2026. It bars the Department of Permitting Services from issuing permits for data centers for 18 months, according to the Council’s announcement. The Council also approved a zoning change, ZTA 26-01, that defines “hyperscale” data centers and prohibits them in the county for now.

On Sept. 23, 2026, Gov. Wes Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2026.16, on responsible data center development. The order sets expectations for protecting electricity customers and for transparency, and it notes that most Maryland counties have adopted temporary data center moratoriums. It does not impose a statewide pause.

“We may be young, but we believe that our voices have power,” the petition says.

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