Ellsworth weighs temporary ban on data center development
Ellsworth, Maine, is considering a temporary moratorium on data center developments, with a public hearing and potential City Council vote approaching. This preemptive measure aims to address environmental concerns and allow time to establish local policies for data center location and scale. Other Maine communities are also grappling with similar proposals, opposition, and regulatory challenges.
The Ellsworth City Council in Maine is set to consider a temporary moratorium on data center developments, with a public hearing scheduled before a potential vote on Monday. The city has not yet received any data center applications, but the proposed ban is a preemptive measure to address residents' concerns about potential environmental impacts and to establish local policies governing such facilities. Councilor Nancy Smith, a supporter of the moratorium, highlighted growing national resistance to data centers and a desire for transparency in the planning process. She emphasized the need for state-level guidance due to the significant power demands of data centers.
This local initiative follows Governor Janet Mills' veto in April of a proposed statewide ban on new data centers, a decision influenced by a $550 million data center proposal in Jay that has since been abandoned. Across Maine, communities are grappling with data center proposals, balancing potential economic benefits with environmental risks. In Eastport, residents are actively opposing an underwater data center project in Passamaquoddy Bay, fearing thermal pollution could harm marine life and local industries. A citizen-initiated ordinance to limit data center size in Eastport faces legal challenges, as city lawyers advised it would be "unenforceable and unlawful."
Other Maine towns have also taken action: Hampden councilors recently declined a temporary ban but are seeking public input, while the Bangor City Council enacted a six-month freeze in mid-April due to "increased development pressure." Westbrook, Gorham, Scarborough, Brunswick, and Gray have also implemented similar temporary bans. Ellsworth officials believe a pause would allow the city to develop comprehensive policies regarding data center location and scale, ensuring community benefits balance potential downsides.