Maine Legislature sustains Mills’ data center moratorium veto

Maine lawmakers failed to override Governor Janet Mills' veto of a bill proposing a statewide moratorium on large data center development. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, aimed to temporarily halt new permits for data centers exceeding 20 megawatts and establish an advisory council. The House vote of 72-65 fell short of the two-thirds majority required to overturn the veto, effectively killing the measure. Ahead of the vote, representatives from both parties debated the moratorium. While many argued to override the veto, some Republicans, including minority leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, and Rep. Steven Foster, R-Dexter, dismissed opposition as fear-based. Conversely, Rep. Tracy Quint, R-Hodgdon, criticized claims that Mainers were misinformed, emphasizing the vulnerability of economically disadvantaged communities to large corporate investments. Rep. Sachs warned that those who sustained the veto would be responsible for potential negative impacts on electric rates and Maine's environment, stressing the lack of a statewide framework for data center decisions. Hours after the veto was sustained, Governor Mills issued an executive order establishing the Maine Data Center Advisory Council. This council is tasked with making recommendations by late January to ensure electric grid reliability, minimize environmental impacts, maintain low electric rates, and facilitate responsible economic development related to large-scale data centers. The governor defended her actions, stating the urgency of state planning for data center impacts, amidst criticism from members of her own party, such as Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, who called the veto a "betrayal."