Maine on Tuesday became the first US state to call for a temporary halt to construction of large data centers, responding to concerns that AI-driven, power-hungry facilities could strain local electric grids.
A bill that passed both legislative chambers now goes to Democratic Governor Janet Mills. If she signs it, Maine would enact the nation’s first statewide moratorium affecting the fast-growing artificial intelligence industry.
“People and communities across the state have been asking the Legislature to take action and temporarily pause these projects, which could have significant impacts on ratepayers, our electric grid and our environment,” said Representative Melanie Sachs, the bill’s sponsor. “This bill positions Maine to respond deliberately and responsibly to a rapidly evolving industry.”
Under the measure, approvals for data centers needing more than 20 megawatts of power would be paused until late 2027 while a state council studies impacts on electricity grids, costs and the environment. Backers say the pause responds to worries that energy-intensive data centers could overload local power systems, push up household electricity bills and consume large amounts of land and water.
Maine has faced rising energy costs in recent years, according to the US Energy Information Administration, contributing to public opposition. A recent poll found 65% of Americans oppose having a data center built in their community.
Governor Mills earlier sought an exemption for a smaller project that would use existing infrastructure with limited impact on the grid and energy bills. Maine currently has no major data centers, though proposals have surfaced recently, Sachs said.
Similar measures are being debated in about 11 other US states. In February, residents of New Brunswick, New Jersey, mobilized to block a proposed data center over concerns about energy use, environmental impact and land footprint. Last month, Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced legislation to halt all data center construction until Congress enacts AI safety rules. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have also proposed measures addressing data centers’ effects on energy costs.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic