Maine Legislature fails to reverse Janet Mills’ veto of data center ban

The Maine Legislature failed to override Governor Janet Mills' veto of a bill proposing an 18-month moratorium on large data center development, meaning Maine will not be the first state to temporarily ban such projects. Lawmakers in both the Senate and House voted short of the two-thirds majority required to reverse the veto (20-11 in the Senate, 72-65 in the House). Governor Mills has indicated she will establish a commission via executive order to study data center impacts statewide. The veto and failed override sparked contentious debate. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport) and Rep. Daniel Ankeles (D-Brunswick), argued for environmental protection, transparency, and the need for state-level regulation to prevent local communities from scrambling to set their own rules. They cited concerns over potential strain on the power grid, increased utility bills, and damaging water use, particularly in relation to a proposed $550 million data center redevelopment at the former Adroscoggin Mill site in Jay, which they felt lacked transparency. Conversely, Republican critics like Rep. Steven Foster (R-Dexter) and others accused override proponents of fearmongering and stifling economic recovery, emphasizing the importance of local control and the potential for job creation from projects like the one in Jay. Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon) noted that both parties failed by not approving an amendment that would have made an exception for the Jay project. Governor Mills had previously stated that while a pause on development could make sense, the Jay project was crucial for revitalizing a community affected by a mill closure. The outcome leaves Maine open for data center development without a statewide pause, shifting the focus to the governor's proposed commission for future policy recommendations.