Westbrook to propose data center moratorium

Westbrook, Maine, is set to propose a 180-day moratorium on data center development, as announced by Mayor David Morse. The initiative aims to provide the city with time to establish local regulations for such facilities, addressing public concerns about the rapid proliferation of data centers driven by AI and cloud computing. The proposal comes after Governor Janet Mills vetoed a statewide data center moratorium bill last month, which would have halted new construction until November 2027. Following the veto, Governor Mills established the Maine Data Center Advisory Council to offer recommendations, and legislators encouraged local municipalities to consider their own moratoriums. The Westbrook City Council's Housing and Economic Development Committee will review the proposed moratorium on May 18, including a public comment period, with a potential council vote scheduled for June 1. Mayor Morse emphasized Westbrook's commitment to thoughtful planning and preparing for potential data center proposals.