Maine Legislature passes first in the nation ban on data centers

The Maine Legislature has passed a groundbreaking bill that would establish an 18-month statewide moratorium on new large data centers using more than 20 megawatts of power. This legislative action, aimed at curbing the significant electricity and water demands and environmental impact of these facilities, positions Maine to be the first state in the nation with such a ban. Governor Janet Mills, however, has stated that her support for the measure is conditional on an exemption for a proposed $550 million data center project planned for the former Androscoggin paper mill in Jay. Mills emphasized the importance of the jobs, tax revenue, and economic development the Jay project would bring to the region, provided there are appropriate safeguards for water and electricity resources. The bill also includes a $95,000 allocation to fund a coordinating council, composed of government officials, experts, and stakeholders, tasked with developing policy recommendations and guidelines for future data center regulation in the state. This legislative push follows growing community backlash across the U.S. against data center proliferation, including a local protest in Lewiston against a proposed A.I. data center in the Bates Mill complex. The Governor's office has not yet confirmed her final decision regarding the bill.