Eastport enacts pause on data center development
The Eastport City Council has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center development while it considers a proposed permanent ban on such facilities. This action follows widespread opposition to DeepGreen Western Passage's plan to explore an underwater data center in Passamaquoddy Bay. Local activists have also put two ordinances to voters to block future projects.
The Eastport City Council has unanimously enacted a six-month moratorium on all data center development, covering both land-based and underwater facilities and associated infrastructure. This halt, adopted at an August 12 meeting, prohibits the approval of any permits or applications during its 180-day term, or until the city passes a permanent ban.
This measure was taken in response to significant local opposition to DeepGreen Western Passage's proposal to study an underwater data center in Passamaquoddy Bay, powered by tidal energy. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has not yet approved the company's permit application, local activists successfully gathered signatures to present two ordinances to city voters.
One proposed ordinance seeks an outright ban on large data centers, while the other would mandate a city-wide referendum for any large developments and introduce new zoning restrictions. However, a recent legal analysis for the city council reportedly indicated that the latter ordinance might conflict with Eastport's city charter.