US EditionMaine lawmakers pass nation’s first statewide ban on large data centers
The measure would block permits for large projects through November 2027 while a new council studies electricity and water impacts.
- On Tuesday, the Maine Legislature passed LD 307, halting permits for new data centers of at least 20 megawatts until November 2027, and sent the measure to Democratic Governor Janet Mills for final approval.
- Lawmakers established a 13-member Data Center Coordination Council to study electricity rates, grid reliability, and water resource impacts, with findings due by February 2027.
- Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, called the bill a "thoughtful, pragmatic pause," while Developer McDonald warned it would kill his proposed $550 million project at the former Androscoggin Mill in Jay.
- Lawmakers also sent LD 713 to Mills, barring new data centers from specific tax incentives after July and requiring the Department of Economic and Community Development to study financial incentives by Nov. 4.
- Maine's move positions the state as a potential national leader in data center regulation, as 11 other states are currently considering similar legislation to curb expansion amid growing electricity consumption concerns.
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8 Articles
Maine Pioneers Moratorium on Energy-Consuming Data Centers
Maine Pioneers Moratorium on Energy-Consuming Data Centers Maine legislators have taken a groundbreaking step by passing a bill to place a halt on new data centers, primarily due to the growing opposition from citizens concerned about rising household electricity bills and environmental impacts. If approved by Democratic Governor Janet Mills, Maine would become the first state to enforce such a measure.The bill, which passed the House 79-62 and …
Maine Legislature passes first in the nation ban on data centers
Maine is poised to become the first state in the nation to temporarily ban the development of large data centers. But Gov. Janet Mills has said the measure needs to have an exemption for a proposed $550 million project at the former Androscoggin paper mill in Jay to get her support. “The people of Jay need those jobs, with appropriate guardrails on preserving water resources, electricity resources, local generation and all those things,” Mills t…
Lewiston Sun Journal
Maine lawmakers approve first-in-nation temporary ban on data centers
The bill now heads to Gov. Janet Mills, who expressed concerns over its sweep.
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