Maine voters pass local data center restrictions
Voters in at least eight Maine communities approved restrictions on new data center development during local referendums. Most enacted six-month moratoriums to give officials time to develop regulations, while North Berwick approved a permanent ban and other communities adopted standalone data center bans.
Voters in at least eight Maine towns approved restrictions on new data center development in midterm election referendums. Most measures impose six-month pauses on construction while local officials develop regulations, with Wiscasset approving its moratorium by nearly 66% and North Berwick approving a permanent ban with nearly 80% support.
Westbrook and Scarborough have also enacted bans on standalone data centers. The local actions follow the failure of a statewide moratorium proposal, which Gov. Janet Mills vetoed in April, amid concerns about noise, environmental effects, and the facilities' heavy use of water and electricity.