Can Montgomery County Get Data Centers Right? | Steve Shapiro | Moderately Mic’d Episode 9 Moderately Moco299 subscribersAnalyticsEdit video1403 views Aug 21, 2026 Moderately Mic’dMontgomery County’s data center debate is heating up. Steve Shapiro of Praxis Energy joins Moderately Mic’d to discuss data centers, the proposed moratorium, Dickerson, and what Montgomery County should do next.What happens when a massive infrastructure project comes to a community and residents, developers, utilities, and government all want different things?On this episode of Moderately Mic’d, Jason Makstein sits down with Steve Shapiro, founder and principal of Praxis Energy, for a conversation about the growing data center debate in Montgomery County, Maryland.Steve spent 18 years at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he founded and led its Dispute Resolution Service, and has served as a neutral for PJM, the organization responsible for operating the regional electric grid. He has more than 35 years of experience in mediation and dispute resolution and has lived in Montgomery County for three decades.The conversation starts with Steve’s background and how he became involved in resolving major energy and infrastructure disputes before turning to one of the biggest local debates today: data centers and the proposed development in Dickerson.Jason and Steve discuss what data centers actually are, why they require so much electricity, why developers are interested in Maryland, and the potential benefits and concerns for Montgomery County residents.They also break down the debate over a data center moratorium, including electricity rates, water use, noise, environmental impacts, property values, community involvement, and what protections could potentially be negotiated before a project moves forward.Steve explains the approach Praxis Energy has been developing to bring residents, developers, utilities, and government together earlier in the process, with the goal of negotiating binding agreements instead of waiting until infrastructure projects become political battles.Learn why regenerative growth is the only path forward to solve current economic challenges and build a sustainable future.This discussion explores why maintaining the status quo fails to address modern environmental and economic stressors. We examine the shift required to move beyond traditional models and how leaders are adapting to a landscape where standard practices no longer suffice for long-term stability.We outline the mechanics of building a new economy centered on intentional revenue generation. You will gain a clear perspective on how to align financial goals with regenerative growth principles, ensuring that your approach to business remains viable despite changing global conditions.If you want to understand how regenerative growth can redefine your strategy, subscribe for weekly economic breakdowns. Share your thoughts in the comments: what is the biggest barrier to adopting a new economy in your industry? #MontgomeryCounty #DataCenters #ModeratelyMicd #Maryland #MoCo #PraxisEnergy