Franklin County official urges Gov. Mills to veto moratorium on data centers

Maine lawmakers have passed a first-in-the-nation one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, a legislative action that now awaits Governor Janet Mills' decision to sign or veto by Saturday. This potential moratorium directly threatens plans for a $550 million data center slated for part of the former Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Franklin County. Franklin County Commissioner Tom Saviello has actively urged Governor Mills to veto the bill, highlighting the significant economic benefits the data center would bring to the county, including 800 to 1000 construction jobs and 100 to 125 permanent local positions. These benefits are particularly crucial six years after the paper mill's explosion. Saviello expressed disappointment in the legislature's decision. While Governor Mills' office pointed to previous statements where she expressed a desire to exempt the mill project from any moratorium, she remains undecided on the overall bill. The bill's sponsor, Representative Melanie Sachs, emphasized that the legislation would establish a council to study the potential financial, environmental, and community impacts of data centers, echoing local concerns. If Governor Mills neither signs nor vetoes the bill by the deadline, it will automatically become law.