Bangor extends data center ban
The Bangor City Council unanimously voted to extend its ban on data center construction for another six months. This extension allows city staff more time to develop potential regulations for data centers. The initial ban was put in place due to "development pressure" after Kratos AI approached the city about building a data center.
The Bangor City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to extend its ban on data center construction by another six months. This action provides city staff with additional time to draft and develop comprehensive regulations for data centers, a process that includes public outreach and resident feedback.
The initial 180-day moratorium was approved in April following an unexpected surge in "development pressure" from data center companies. This pressure included an inquiry from Kratos AI, a San Francisco-based developer, about potentially building a data center within the city.
The council's decision comes amidst rising national concern over artificial intelligence and growing bipartisan opposition to data center development across the country. In a related development, Maine Governor Janet Mills had previously vetoed a proposed statewide data center ban that would have lasted a year and a half, a move that drew criticism from within her own political party.