Maine may become first US state to pause new data centres

Maine lawmakers have passed ​a bill that could make it the first US state to put a moratorium on new data centers as opposition to the electricity-hungry facilities grows across the country over their impact on household energy bills and the environment.

The ‌bill, which ⁠still ⁠needs final approval from Democratic Governor Janet Mills, would freeze approvals for data centres 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.

The bill passed the House 79-62, clearing the Senate 21-13 later the same day. Governor Mills' office did not immediately respond ⁠to a ‌Reuters request for comment on Tuesday.

Mills has insisted on ​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.

Maine ​will serve as a test case for other states that have been debating similar measures. So far, 11 states are weighing legislation that would halt or restrain data center development.

Following strong backlash against data center proposals by Big Tech firms, the Trump administration last month got those ‌companies to sign a voluntary pledge at the White House that they would bear the cost of new electricity generation to power their data centers.

While the ⁠question of how to handle the explosion of data centers does not fall under party lines, two Democratic lawmakers - Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria ​Ocasio-Cortez - last month introduced legislation to halt all construction on data centers until Congress passes AI safety legislation.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal have also introduced legislation aimed at protecting ratepayers from data-center-related energy bill spikes.