Dover-Foxcroft seeks temporary data center ban
Dover-Foxcroft is proposing a temporary 180-day ban on data centers while its Climate Action Advisory Committee investigates environmental, energy, and economic impacts. This local effort follows Governor Janet Mills' veto of a similar statewide ban earlier in the spring. The proposed ban targets projects of 10 megawatts or greater and is currently under review by the town attorney before potentially going to the Select Board.
The town of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, is seeking to enact a temporary 180-day ban on data center projects of 10 megawatts or greater. This move comes as the Maine Data Center Advisory Council works to develop regulations for future data center developments across the state.
This local initiative follows Governor Janet Mills' veto in the spring of a bill that would have imposed an 18-month statewide ban on large-scale data centers. Dover-Foxcroft's Climate Action Advisory Committee is currently researching the environmental impact, energy resource implications, and economic development aspects of data centers, with a comprehensive report anticipated in early 2027. The committee has proposed the temporary ban to protect the interests of local residents and property owners.
Select Chair Steve Grammont confirmed that the proposed language for the ban is under review by town attorney Jon Pottle, a partner at Katahdin Law, to ensure it aligns with the town's intentions. Once the legal review is complete, the Select Board's administrative committee will examine the document. The temporary ban is expected to be on the agenda for an upcoming Select Board meeting. Grammont previously indicated that the town's existing electrical infrastructure might not be suitable for a large data center, which he believes gives the town some time to address these issues.