MD HB1534

Data centers within 2,500 feet of schools must maintain 1,000-foot setbacks for electrical infrastructure over 69 kilovolts from playgrounds and athletic fields, install HEPA/MERV 13+ filters in school HVAC systems upon request, and deploy public air quality monitors

Department of the Environment must establish regulations setting sound limits at 45 dBA/55 dBC for schools and residential areas, vibration limits of 0.02 inches per second at school foundations, and requiring Tier 4 emission standards for backup generators within 1 mile of schools or homes

Data centers exceeding 50 megawatts must have on-site battery storage, and nonemergency generator testing is prohibited during school hours (7:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday)

Local authorities cannot approve data center construction on USDA Class I or II agricultural soils (unless no industrial land is available), land with agricultural easements, or Rural Legacy Areas

Applicants proposing construction on undeveloped land must first verify they evaluated decommissioned industrial or power plant sites; violations carry $10,000 civil penalties and potential permit revocation