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Mark your calendar for "People Over Data Centers" — a one-day conference in Baltimore where you'll meet people just like you from every corner of the state in search of inspiration, organizing tools, legal information, and networking opportunities in our fight to reform data center development.
With compelling local and national speakers, plus panels covering everything from water pollution to electricity rate hikes to local moratorium victories, you’ll find what you need to protect and defend your community at the municipal, county, and state level.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2026 | BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
The Agenda
Here is a quick sample of the topics we plan to address during panel discussions related to potential regulatory guardrails applied to new AI data centers:
- Data centers and environmental justice: The impact on overburdened and underserved communities
- Protecting water resources, prime farmland, and open space.
- Data center impacts on utility bills and the grid: Demanding lower rates and a better system for the future
- A push for a moratorium and real standards? What should real reform look like in 2027
- AI: “Promises vs. Reality”
The Line Up : Advocates, Legislators, and Thought Leaders
» Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) – 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives
» Bill McKibben, co-founder of Third Act, is a nationally recognized climate activist, author, and educator
» State Senator Katie Fry Hester represents Maryland’s District 9, Howard County.
» Delegate Mark Korman represents Maryland’s District 16, Montgomery County.
» Delegate Lorig Charkoudian represents Maryland’s District 20, Montgomery County.
» Delegate Sheila Ruth represents Maryland’s District 44B in Baltimore County.
» Natalie Fani-Gonzalez, President of the Montgomery County Council, represents District 6
» Councilmember Will Jawando is an “at-large” representative on the Montgomery County Council
» Saul Levin, Program Director, Center for Nonviolent Conflict Research, hosts “The Hum” podcast.
» Dayvon Love is Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle.
» Taylor Frazier McCollum is a Prince George’s County organizer with Maryland Green Party
» Khalil Shahyd is Senior Strategist for Environmental Equity, Natural Resources Defense Council
At this summit, you’ll learn what people like you are already doing to pause AI data centers where they live. You’ll leave inspired, informed, and energized to push for policies that only a massive movement like this one can achieve on data centers. We’ll give you new tools and tons of networking opportunities to make this fight part of your life.
CALLING ALL...
Wherever you fit in — you belong at this table.
Our friend, Bill McKibben, legendary author, activist & founder of Third Act, invites YOU to the day-long “People Over Data Centers” Maryland Action Summit. If you’re someone who is concerned about AI and Data Centers THIS One-day Action Summit is the place for you to be. We will have inspiring speakers, activists, and fellow advocates from across the state of Maryland and beyond who are standing up to the big tech takeover. You can expect to learn from others, make new connections, and gather ideas to take back to your own communities. Hosted by Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Nature Forward on November 7th at the Baltimore Convention Center from 9AM- 5PM. We hope to see you there. Get your tickets now ($25.)
WHY WE'RE GATHERING MARYLANDERS WHO OPPOSE RECKLESS DATA CENTER GROWTH:
1. TO BRING TOGETHER Marylanders from across our state who are outraged about data centers and want to learn more.
2. TO SHARE ENERGY AND INFORMATION across local fights happening in every corner of Maryland.
3. TO TURN ENERGY INTO ACTION — real tools, real strategy, real momentum.
Data Center Moratoriums Across The US
Data Center Moratoriums are popping up all over the United States. People are fed up with the reckless development of dirty data centers and have begun pushing for moratoriums and bans to protect their communities. This interactive maps lets you explore the latest on local fights from around the country.
Until "People Over Data Centers" - Maryland Action Summit
SPONSORS
We’re building a coalition of groups standing up for Maryland communities. This is your chance to spotlight your organization as a leader in the growing movement to fight back against data center impacts including water pollution, noise pollution, electricity rate hikes, undercutting climate goals and more. Show how your group is ready to help Marylanders defend our communities at the municipal, county, and state level.
GETTING THERE
Baltimore Convention Center
1 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201
DRIVING TO THE CONVENTION CENTER
TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT
Option 1: Take the Charm City Circulator Purple Route toward Baltimore Visitor Center (NB). Exit at Pratt Street – Inner Harbor. Walk 3 minutes to the Convention Center.
Option 2: Take the Light Rail South toward Camden Station. Exit at the Convention Center stop.
Option 1: Take the CityLink Orange route toward Essex from Bay 3. Exit at Baltimore Arena. Walk 5 minutes to the Convention Center.
Option 2: Take the CityLink Blue route toward Johns Hopkins Bayview from Bay 2. Exit at Saratoga St & Howard St. Walk 11 minutes to the Convention Center.