Eastport divided over proposed underwater data center
Eastport, Maine, residents are divided over a proposed underwater data center by Deep Green. The Eastport City Council approved a 180-day moratorium to address zoning and environmental concerns raised by the community, particularly regarding fishing and lobstering impacts. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has accepted Deep Green's preliminary permit application.
The community of Eastport, Maine, is currently divided over a proposed underwater data center project spearheaded by the Massachusetts-based company, Deep Green. Residents have expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impact of the data center on local fishing and lobstering industries, as well as broader environmental effects on water temperature and the marine ecosystem.
In response to these community anxieties, the Eastport City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center permits last month. This pause is intended to provide city leaders with additional time to address complex zoning questions, gather more comprehensive community input, and allow for a thorough review of the project's implications. Council members emphasized that while the moratorium guarantees a temporary halt on local permit issuance, it does not affect the separate permitting process underway with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The FERC recently accepted Deep Green's preliminary permit application, a step that would enable the company to conduct necessary engineering and environmental studies for the proposed project. Deep Green spokesperson Steve Green indicated that the moratorium would provide the company with time to research the area thoroughly. It is important to note that FERC's preliminary permit acceptance does not authorize construction but rather allows for investigative work. Residents continue to ask critical questions about the project's heat output, water impact, and potential land-based requirements within Eastport.