Buxton Selectboard passes moratorium on data centers
Buxton voters approved a retroactive 180-day moratorium on data centers to give town officials time to study the facilities and develop local regulations. Residents cited potential costs and environmental, water-use, traffic and land-use concerns, although no data center has been proposed in the town.
Buxton voters approved a 180-day moratorium on data centers, retroactive to Aug. 12, after concerns about the facilities’ costs and potential environmental impacts. The pause is intended to give the town time to research data centers and develop an ordinance regulating future projects.
Buxton is among several southern Maine communities that have paused or considered restricting data center development. Town officials said they wanted to address the issue proactively, while some residents urged Buxton to coordinate with neighboring communities on potential regulations. The action follows Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of a bill that would have temporarily restricted data center construction statewide.