6/1 Maine’s new Data Center Advisory Council will hold first meeting on Wednesday
Maine's new Data Center Advisory Council, established by Governor Janet Mills, is holding its first public meeting. The council's purpose is to develop recommendations for statewide regulations on large-scale data center development, addressing concerns about electricity, grid reliability, and environmental impacts.
Governor Janet Mills' Data Center Advisory Council is set to hold its inaugural public meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd, accessible via Zoom. This council was established by executive order after Governor Mills vetoed a legislative bill that would have imposed a large-scale data center moratorium but also created such a council. Her veto stemmed from the bill's lack of a specific exemption for a planned data center at a former paper mill in Jay.
While rejecting the moratorium, Governor Mills expressed agreement with the need for a council to determine appropriate "guardrails" for large-scale data center development in Maine. The council is co-chaired by the commissioners of the state's energy and environmental departments and includes representatives from utilities, tribal nations, municipalities, environmental groups, labor, and the private sector.
The council is tasked with delivering recommendations to the governor and legislature by January 29th of next year. Their discussions will focus on critical issues such as the impact of large-scale data center development on Maine electricity ratepayers, grid reliability, and environmental effects, as well as defining responsible economic development in the state.