Eastport residents express concern over proposed underwater data center
Residents in Eastport, Maine, are expressing concerns about a proposed 400-acre underwater AI data center by Deep Green Western Passage. The Eastport City Council met to discuss the project and two citizen-initiated ordinances. These ordinances aim to prohibit data centers larger than 25,000 square feet and require voter approval for commercial and industrial developments.
The Eastport City Council recently convened to address local concerns regarding a proposed 400-acre underwater AI data center, spearheaded by Deep Green Western Passage. The project, estimated to cost $413 million, would include 170 turbines and 34 high-pot AI computer servers.
During the meeting, officials discussed two citizen-initiated ordinances that reflect residents' apprehension. One proposed ordinance seeks to prohibit data centers exceeding 25,000 square feet. The second ordinance would mandate voter approval for all commercial and industrial developments, ensuring community input on significant projects like the data center. Residents voiced their concerns directly to city leaders, emphasizing that the development feels premature and potentially not in the best interest of the community's values.