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Gov. Mills Vetoes First-in-Nation Data Center Moratorium Passed by Legislature
The veto keeps several projects alive, including a $550 million redevelopment in Jay that Mills said could create more than 800 construction jobs.
- Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill imposing a moratorium on data centers consuming 20 megawatts or more until 2027, citing the need to exempt a data center project in Jay that promises jobs and revenue for the community.
- The bill, LD 307, passed with bipartisan support and aimed to pause large data center constructions while creating a council to evaluate their environmental and energy impacts, but Mills plans to establish a similar council by executive order despite the veto.
- Critics including bill sponsor Rep. Melanie Sachs and environmental groups argue the veto favors data center developers over public and environmental interests, risking higher energy costs and environmental harm.
67 Articles
67 Articles
Maine Governor Vetoes Landmark Legislation to Temporarily Ban Data Centers
Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) vetoed a bill on April 24 that would have suspended construction of new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in her state. The landmark legislation that was rejected would have banned data centers larger than 20 megawatts until November 2027. Mills supported the concept of a moratorium, but criticized how the final legislation was written inside of the bill, titled An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordin…
Janet Mills vetoes temporary data center ban
Gov. Janet Mills on Friday vetoed a bill that would have made Maine the first state in the country to enact a temporary ban on new data center development. The bill, LD 307, would have prevented the state, local governments and quasi-governmental agencies from issuing permits or other approvals…
Maine is the latest state to try — and fail — to ban new data centers
Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would've paused data center development.Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesMaine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have paused new data center projects until late 2027.Mills cited her support for an existing project and said she wanted to study data center impacts.Lawmakers in at least 12 states have tried and failed to ban data centers as local resistance grows.Another state-le…
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