Maine becomes first state to put temporary moratorium on data centers

The Maine legislature voted in favor of a bill that would put a temporary moratorium on data centers, making us the first state in the country to do so.

The Department of Energy Resources would be required to create the Maine Data Center Coordination Council to ensure that Maine is ready for such facilities.

Governor Janet Mills has supported an exemption to this law for the Jay Paper Mill, pointing out they are reusing existing industrial infrastructure, and the project is expected to bring much-needed jobs, economic activity and tax revenue to the region.

The proposal that passed did not include that exemption.

There is no word yet whether Governor Mills plans to sign the bill as is.

https://www.wabi.tv/2026/04/15/maine-becomes-first-state-put-temporary-moratorium-data-centers/