Eastport push to pause underwater AI data center
Eastport residents are pushing for a temporary pause on a proposed underwater AI data center in Passamaquoddy Bay due to environmental and community concerns. While the city council voted against a moratorium, they sent a letter outlining their worries, as the developer maintains the project is in early review.
Residents in Eastport, Maine, are advocating for a temporary moratorium on a proposed underwater AI data center to be located in Passamaquoddy Bay. Concerns center on potential environmental and community impacts, particularly on the area's vital fisheries and marine life. Critics fear that heat from the data center pods could harm lobsters, scallops, and clams, which are crucial for local fishermen.
The proposed project, which would be powered by tidal energy, is touted by its unnamed developer as a source of clean energy and economic investment. However, Eastport city councilors recently voted against adopting a moratorium on the project but did agree to send a letter to the developer outlining their concerns. Questions were also raised regarding the small city's limited resources for potential legal battles should the project proceed.
The developer maintains that the project is still in its early stages of review, and no construction plans have received approval.