Anti-data center protester crashes Maine Senate debate between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson
An anti-data center demonstrator interrupted a Maine Senate debate between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. The candidates have opposing concerns about data centers, including potential effects on electricity prices, water supplies and climate, while Collins supports federal guardrails requiring facilities to provide their own power and water.
An anti-data center protester disrupted the final Maine Senate race debate between incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. The demonstrator accused artificial-intelligence data centers of harming the climate and poisoning water, prompting a brief hostile exchange between the candidates as security removed the protester.
Data centers were not discussed during that debate, but Collins and Jackson had clashed over the issue earlier in the week. Jackson said he was not supportive of the facilities and warned they could increase electricity prices and strain Maine’s water supply. Collins said she supports federal legislation encouraging states to impose safeguards, including requirements that data center companies supply their own electricity and water, while Jackson argued that development should be slowed.