NH gubernatorial candidates spar on data centers
New Hampshire gubernatorial candidates Kelly Ayotte and Cinde Warmington both support a moratorium on data centers but differ on how restrictions should be implemented. Ayotte favors a statewide ban, while Warmington supports a moratorium with strong local control and environmental and taxpayer protections.
At a campaign forum in Manchester, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic candidate Cinde Warmington debated data center development in New Hampshire. Ayotte said data centers would increase energy and water costs and harm the environment, citing concerns about whether New England’s power system could support large facilities. She said she opposed a proposed data center in Nottingham and supports a statewide ban, but argued she lacks the legal authority to impose one by executive order.
Warmington also backed a moratorium but said data centers could potentially be allowed under strict guardrails, including local control and protections against costs to taxpayers and the environment. She criticized Ayotte for not supporting data center moratorium and local-control legislation during the prior legislative session, while Ayotte said she had publicly opposed the Nottingham proposal and would seek a ban through the state budget and legislation.