Data center boom meets moratorium in Maine

The Maine Legislature has approved a bill that would establish the nation's first statewide moratorium on energy-intensive data centers. The legislation, which has been sent to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills for her signature, would institute a moratorium for over a year on data centers above a certain size and create a special council to help towns evaluate potential projects. This measure stems from growing political and community opposition in Maine, despite the state not being a primary destination for hyperscale data centers. Democratic Rep. Melanie Sachs, who sponsored the bill, emphasized that the trade-offs regarding ratepayers, water usage, and economic benefits have not been favorable to communities. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and the Maine Policy Institute, argue that the moratorium could deter economic development, good jobs, and prevent local builders from acquiring necessary skills. The development in Maine reflects a broader trend of increasing local opposition to data centers across the U.S., with proposals for moratoriums introduced in at least a dozen states. While some efforts have failed, like a bill in South Dakota and Georgia, others are progressing, such as an effort in Ohio to get a permanent ban on the ballot. Several municipalities, including Festus, Missouri, have already experienced significant backlash leading to changes in local government or project rejections.