Maine would become the first state to enact a moratorium on data center construction under a bill approved by both houses of the state’s legislature. Titled “‘An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers,” the legislation awaits the signature of Gov. Janet Mills.
Reuters reported that the bill would freeze approvals for data centers requiring more than 20 megawatts of power until October 2027 while a state-appointed council analyzes their impact on the local grid, electricity bills, air and water. Mills has requested an exemption for a smaller-scale project that has been under development, which reuses existing infrastructure that would not have a major impact on the electric grid or energy bills, reported Reuters.
To date, 11 states have considered similar legislation amid concerns about the centers’ impact on the local environment and natural resources. The Trump administration last month had major tech firms sign a voluntary pledge to cover the cost of new electricity to power their data centers. Bills to contain the impact of data centers have been introduced by members of both parties in Congress.
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