Could an underwater AI-data center come to Maine?

Chris Wolfson, a Needham, Massachusetts-based realtor, is proposing an ambitious project for an underwater artificial intelligence data center off the coast of Eastport, Maine. The facility would be powered by tidal energy from the Bay of Fundy and cooled by seawater, representing a novel approach to addressing the high electricity consumption and cooling needs of AI infrastructure. Wolfson's company, DeepGreen Western Passage SPV, LLC, filed a preliminary permit application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last month, requesting approval to study a 400-acre site over four years. The project, which is still years from potential construction, has raised significant concerns among local residents and particularly the Passamaquoddy community at Sipayik. The tribe fears potential threats to tribal fishing access, cultural heritage, and the natural environment, citing the devastating ecological legacy of a previous tidal power attempt in the area. Wolfson acknowledges these concerns and states he has no interest in proceeding without community support. Experts also question the project's feasibility, particularly regarding the fluctuating nature of tidal power and the challenges of underwater maintenance for such a large-scale endeavor. In addition to local opposition and technical hurdles, the project faces a complex regulatory landscape. While DeepGreen only needs federal approval from FERC at this stage, any future design or construction would require state permits. State lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would temporarily prohibit state and local agencies from issuing new data center permits, pending a review by a proposed Data Center Coordination Council. This potential moratorium could further impact the project's development timeline and funding prospects.