From the Office of Council Member Tom Dernoga September 2026

(From left to right) Retiring Sergeant Kenneth Hibbert, Council Member Tom Dernoga, Retiring Corporal Alan Jones, and Chief of Staff Michelle García at the District VI PGPD 2026 National Night Out.

Data Center Update

I want to update you with the latest information regarding data centers. I reviewed the 2025 Data Center Task Force report and believe that the County has not yet completed the necessary work outlined in the report to move forward this Legislative year. It is crucial to start implementing the recommendations outlined in the task force report so that there may be a transparent and collaborative effort to draft comprehensive legislation. I sent a letter to key County leaders requesting a status update on the implementation of the Data Center Task Force report's recommendations and next steps. See the full letter at tinyurl.com/Aug2026DernogaLtr.

The end of the 2026 Legislative year (scheduled for October 27) comes early because this is an election year. The last day to introduce zoning legislation this year is September 22, and the Council is currently on summer recess. I do not see a viable path to drafting and enacting comprehensive legislation in a transparent and collaborative manner by September 22.

Beltsville Community Vision Walk

The Prince George’s County Planning Department is hosting the next Community Vision Walk on Saturday, September 5, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, starting at the Sunrise Plaza Parking Lot, 10820 Rhode Island Avenue, 20705. They are launching the Beltsville Placemaking Pilot Project, an exciting initiative that will bring recommendations from the Route 1 Land Redevelopment Study to life.

Your feedback at this meeting can help to influence safer traffic along Rhode Island Avenue, more welcoming public spaces, enhancements to walking and biking spaces, and other future investments in Beltsville. Join the project staff and my team to ask questions and share your thoughts. Register to attend at tinyurl.com/BvilleVisionWalkSep2026.

District 1 Community Shred Days

This month, we are holding the last two District 1 Community Shred Days of my tenure. There will be a three-box limit per person. On Saturday, September 12, from 9 AM to 11 AM, the shred truck will be at Beltsville Academy, 4300 Wicomico Avenue, 20705. On Saturday, September 19, from 9 AM to 11 AM, the shred truck will be at Montpelier Elementary, 9200 Muirkirk Road, 20708. No registration is required.

Air Quality Permit Informational Meeting for Borgwardt

Last month, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, my team and I attended the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)’s informational meeting concerning the air quality permit application for the Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home’s proposed crematorium. At this meeting, MDE, the Borgwardt family, and a representative from Matthews Environmental Solutions discussed the permitting and public review process, general information about cremation equipment, as well as taking questions from residents. Many residents expressed concern or opposition. The meeting was recorded and uploaded to MDE’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@mdenvironment.

Now that the informational meeting has taken place, MDE is performing a technical review of the application. Following this, they will provide a tentative determination to either issue or deny the permit. The next opportunity for public comment will come after the tentative determination is shared. Read more about the steps of this process at tinyurl.com/MDEAQRvw. View the docket, which includes the permit application and other supporting documents, at tinyurl.com/BorgwardtAQDocket. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Shannon Heafey, Public Participation Coordinator in the MDE Air Quality Permits Program at shannon.heafey@maryland.gov.

We will keep you updated on our eNewsletter (tinyurl.com/D1eNewsletterOptIn) and social media as the application progresses.

Contact Us

Please keep in touch by emailing us at councildistrict1@co.pg.md.us or calling 301-952-3887.