US EditionMaine lawmakers pass nation’s first statewide ban on large data centers
The measure would freeze approvals for large facilities and create a 13-member council to study grid, water and electricity 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.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Maine's legislature passed a bill blocking new data centers that exceed 20 MW capacity until November 2027, making it the first state to enact such a measure (Alyssa Lukpat/Wall Street Journal)
Alyssa Lukpat / Wall Street Journal: Maine's legislature passed a bill blocking new data centers that exceed 20 MW capacity until November 2027, making it the first state to enact such a measure — The bill, which blocks centers that draw over 20 megawatts of power until late 2027, heads to…
Maine Lawmakers Pass the First Statewide Ban on Large Data Centers
Mike Stewart/APMaine lawmakers passed the nation’s first statewide ban on large data centers Tuesday in what they say is an attempt to buy time and study how the power-hungry facilities affect the electrical grid.The bill, passed by both chambers of the Maine legislature on Tuesday, would enact an18-month moratorium on new data centers harnessing more than 20 megawatts of power – enough to power more than 16,000 homes – to give a task force time…
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