Westbrook weighs tighter data center rules amid concerns over water, power and noise
Westbrook, Maine officials are considering stricter regulations on data centers, with city staff recommending against standalone facilities due to concerns over electricity, water use, and noise. This discussion follows the City Council's approval of a 180-day moratorium on data center development in June, which tasked the Planning Board with reviewing the issue and proposing new rules.
Westbrook, Maine officials are actively debating tighter restrictions on data center development, balancing potential economic benefits against environmental and infrastructural concerns. City staff have recommended against permitting standalone data centers and proposed removing them as an allowed use from Contract Zone 12, also known as Rock Row.
This move comes after the Westbrook City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments in June, referring the matter to the Planning Board for comprehensive review. During a recent Planning Board meeting, members discussed the scope of these potential restrictions, with some questioning a complete prohibition while others sought more information on the community impacts of such facilities.
Key concerns highlighted include significant electricity demand, substantial water usage—ranging from 500,000 to 6 million gallons annually per megawatt depending on cooling technology—and noise pollution. Staff also suggested revising the city's definition of a data center, potentially allowing smaller operations integrated into mixed-use commercial buildings under future regulations.