A Maryland data center project has violated environmental protections
/We stand against environmental damage caused by the Quantum Loophole data centers project
view from Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland - Photo credit: canva
Dear Governor Moore, elected and appointed officials, and industry leaders:
It is with deep concern that we have learned of a new round of environmental damage caused by the Quantum Loophole data centers project. On April 4, 2024, an MDE inspector discovered numerous ongoing violations of environmental regulations. In parallel, a Frederick County inspector placed a stop-work order on the horizontal drilling operation “due to environmental hazards.”
Inspectors found that multiple frac-outs had occurred. One of these frac-outs resulted in the release of sediment, and drilling fluid, directly into a Monocacy River tributary. The drilling company did not immediately report the frac-outs as required. Nor did they cease drilling operations when they realized they were discharging pollutants into nearby waterways. Finally, the drilling company does not hold the proper permits for the work they are conducting.
These violations have been described as a simple release of “clay.” The actual pollutant is drilling fluid mixed with bore-hole tailings like stone chips and soil. A principal component of drilling fluid is bentonite, a clay-like material. While bentonite may have negligible mammalian toxicity, it is a significant threat to aquatic plants and animals. It is also important to realize that bentonite is not the only component of drilling fluid.
It has become clear that there is one element in common among these violations. There is a pattern of misbehavior across various locations, activities, and subcontractors. Quantum Loophole is the one constant. Taken in total, these violations all suggest a corporate climate of disregard for environmental protection. This culture of environmental disregard seems to have also been continued through the work of Quantum Loophole's subcontractors.
At this point the community, at large, requires something more than platitudes and vague assurances. “We promise to do better” is no longer sufficient. We expect rigorous enforcement of all environmental regulations. We hope that strict enforcement will lead to full compliance and prevent future violations.
We call on all parties involved, public and private sector, to take action to end this continuing pattern of environmental damage. Regulators should be demanding a higher standard from Quantum Loophole, and its subcontractors. State and county leaders should strictly enforce our already strong environmental laws. Finally, the General Assembly should begin work on robust new regulations to prevent this and other environmental degradation from this new industry.
Steve Findlay - Sugarloaf Citizens Association
Cecilia Plante, Co-Chair - Maryland Legislative Coalition
Caroline Taylor, Executive Director - Montgomery Countryside Alliance
Dave Arndt, Co-Chair - MLC Climate Justice Wing
Evan Isaacson, Senior Attorney - Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Sonia Demiray, Founder - Climate Communications Coalition
Denisse Guitarra, MD Conservation Advocate - Nature Forward
Robin Broder, Deputy Director - Waterkeepers Chesapeake
Rhonda Kranz, Takoma Park Mobilization - Environment Committee
Betty Law, Chair - Fellowship of Scientists and Engineers
Steve Black, President - Sugarloaf Alliance
Kerri Hesley - Sierra Club Catoctin Group
Anna Mudd, Senior Policy Director - Potomac Conservancy
Matt Stegman, MD Staff Attorney - Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Elizabeth Bauer, Board Chair - Envision Frederick County
Dean Naujoks - Potomac Riverkeeper
Kathy White - Friends of Rural Roads
Dr. Edwin Grayzeck, Interim Chair - Climate Change Working Group of Frederick County
Kevin Sellner and Steve Jakubczyk, Co-leads - Citizens for Responsible Growth
James Wagner - Plant the Light
Karen Cannon, Executive Director - Mobilize Frederick
Christine Pendzich - 350 MoCo
Karen Metchis - Ask the Climate Question
Dave Feldman - Bethesda Green
Sylvia Diss - Elders Climate Action
Doneby Smith - Green Sanctuary Committee Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
Nanci Wilkinson - Cedar Lane Environmental Justice Ministry Unitarian Universalist Church
Jim Laurenson - Ecosystems Study Group
Kit Gage - Friends of Sligo Creek
Kathryn Gargurevich - Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate
Diana Conway - Safe Healthy Playing Fields
Diane Cameron - Transit Alternatives to Mid-County Highway, Extended
Amy Maron - Zero Waste Montgomery
Betsy Smith, President - Cleanwater Linganore
Karen Metchis - Climate Coalition Montgomery County
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