‘Must include an exemption’: Gov. Mills weighs in on Jay mill data center exemption proposal

Governor Janet Mills has publicly stated her support for an exemption for the data center project located at the former Jay Paper Mill site amidst ongoing legislative debate in Maine regarding a temporary moratorium on data centers. Mills' office affirmed that while she agrees with lawmakers on the need to evaluate the impacts of large-scale AI data centers on public resources, the environment, and ratepayers —and thus supports the moratorium proposed in LD 307 —she believes the bill "must include an exemption" for the Jay mill project. The Governor's spokesperson highlighted that the Jay project is a "smaller-scale" development that reuses existing industrial infrastructure, is designed to avoid new costs for ratepayers, and will not strain the local electrical grid. Furthermore, the project is expected to generate jobs, economic activity, and tax revenue for the region. Representative Melanie Sachs, a Democrat from Freeport and the bill's sponsor, explained that the legislation aims to ensure Maine is adequately prepared for data center development, focusing on necessary infrastructure. The bill has already advanced through the Maine House of Representatives with an 80-62 vote.