Bethel, Woodstock mulling data center moratoriums

The towns of Bethel and Woodstock in Maine are each considering proposed ordinances to implement a six-month moratorium on data center developments. Bethel has scheduled a special town meeting for October 15th for residents to vote on its proposed ordinance. The temporary ban is intended to provide the town with time to develop comprehensive amendments to its existing ordinances and codes, establishing appropriate standards for the siting, permitting, construction, and operation of data centers within Bethel.

Bethel Town Manager Sharon Jackson stated that the initiative came from the town's Ordinance Review Committee, driven by general concerns about data centers rather than any specific proposed project. Reasons cited for the moratorium include a recent increase in data center development in Maine, their significant consumption of water and electrical energy, potential strain on local grids leading to increased utility costs, noise pollution, heat island effects, and overall environmental impact. The town believes its current codes are insufficient to address these potential issues and requires time to gather information and develop new regulations.

Woodstock also plans a similar town vote on a data center moratorium, with its proposal expected to mirror Bethel's. During a Woodstock selectmen's meeting, Chairman Ron Deegan voiced concerns that data centers might not align with residents' desires to maintain the town's character, as indicated by a recent town survey. Selectman Bob McQueeney suggested that prohibiting buildings over a certain size, like 10,000 square feet, could be a method to prevent data center development if desired by the town. Both towns are moving quickly to address the issue.