Mills Establishes Data Center Advisory Council Amid Backlash Following Her Veto

Governor Janet Mills established the "Maine Data Center Advisory Council" via executive order on Friday, responding to criticism from her own party following her veto of a data center construction moratorium. Governor Mills emphasized the urgency of planning for potential impacts of large-scale data centers on Maine, stating the council would address serious questions and concerns to protect the environment and ratepayers while fostering responsible economic development. This executive order was issued just hours after state representatives failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required to override Mills' veto of LD 307, a bill that would have imposed a statewide moratorium on new data center construction. The newly formed council is tasked with evaluating issues related to data centers, specifically focusing on protecting ratepayers, maintaining electric grid reliability, minimizing environmental impacts, and guiding appropriate economic development. The advisory council will be composed of members from various governmental offices and industries, and is expected to provide a strategic report to the legislature, evaluating data center projects in light of the state's green energy and environmental policies. Additionally, the order directs the Department of Energy Resources and the Maine Public Utilities Commission to work collaboratively to prevent data center development from increasing costs for energy ratepayers.