Eastport council to consider ordinances targeting proposed underwater data center
The Eastport City Council is set to consider two ordinances targeting a proposed underwater data center. These include a permanent ban on large-scale data centers and a requirement for voter approval on large commercial developments. A local group, the Eastport Coalition for Healthy Oceans (ECCO), is advocating for these measures and for the city to gain intervenor status in the data center's permitting process.
The Eastport City Council is scheduled to review two proposed ordinances tonight aimed at halting a planned underwater data center. These ordinances were introduced by the Eastport Coalition for Healthy Oceans (ECCO), a local resident group. The first ordinance proposes a permanent ban on large-scale data centers within city limits, while the second would mandate voter approval for commercial and industrial developments exceeding a specified size.
During a meeting last month, the city's planning board unanimously recommended the adoption of the permanent ban ordinance, but opted to dismiss the second ordinance requiring voter approval.
In addition to the ordinances, the City Council is expected to consider a motion from ECCO requesting that the city file for intervenor status in the permitting process for the proposed data center. Securing this status would enable Eastport to actively participate as a third party in the permitting proceedings. The meeting is set to commence at 6 p.m. in the Shed High School gym, with further details available via the Maine Monitor.