Maine lawmakers consider moratorium on new data centers

Maine lawmakers are considering a two-year moratorium on building large new data centers in the state. State Rep. Melanie Sachs has proposed creating a "coordination council" to study the potential impacts of data centers on the electric grid, environment, and ratepayers. The plan faces opposition from some Republican lawmakers, who argue it could endanger a planned 100-300 megawatt data center project in Sanford. Data centers have been growing across the U.S., raising concerns about their high energy and water demands.