‘It’ll be a concern’: Gov. Mills reacts to Legislature passing of data centers bill without Jay exemption

The Maine Legislature has passed a first-in-the-nation bill proposing a temporary moratorium on data centers, which is now awaiting Governor Janet Mills' decision. The legislation would establish a council within the Department of Energy Resources to prepare Maine for data center development. Governor Mills, who has previously advocated for an exemption for the Jay paper mill, noted her concern that the passed bill does not include this provision. Mills has highlighted the potential for the Jay paper mill site, an existing industrial infrastructure, to bring jobs, economic activity, and tax revenue through reuse. When asked about potentially vetoing the bill due to the missing exemption, she stated she would read the bill and give it "every due consideration," acknowledging the omission as "a concern."