Governor Janet Mills of Maine vetoed legislation that sought to halt the construction of large-scale data centers in the state until October 2027. The bill, which passed both chambers of Maine’s legislature on April 14, aimed to prohibit projects consuming 20 megawatts or more of power unless exempted. However, Mills favored a more targeted approach that would exclude an existing development in Jay, Maine, from the temporary ban.
While rejecting the proposed moratorium, Mills announced plans to sign an executive order establishing a Maine Data Center Coordination Council. This body would evaluate the benefits and risks of data center projects, coordinate state planning, and guide policy decisions. Additionally, she signed LD 713, a separate bill that prevents data centers from accessing Maine’s business development tax incentive programs.
The veto reflects broader tensions between state governments and tech industry demands for rapid infrastructure expansion. Maine joins at least a dozen other states considering similar restrictions on data center growth. New York lawmakers, for example, introduced a bill in late 2025 to pause new data center construction for three years. At the federal level, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have endorsed legislation that would impose a broader moratorium on new and upgraded facilities.
Tech companies and the Trump administration oppose such measures, arguing they could hinder AI development and economic progress. The White House’s recent AI policy framework, unveiled in March, explicitly calls for streamlining the permitting and power supply processes for data centers to accelerate their deployment across the U.S.
Mills’ decision underscores the challenges of balancing environmental concerns, infrastructure demands, and economic incentives. The proposed council may provide a middle ground, offering structured oversight without a blanket moratorium. As states and federal lawmakers clash over data center regulations, the outcome could shape the future of AI infrastructure and energy consumption in America.
AI summary
Maine Valisi Janet Mills’in büyük veri merkezlerini durduran yasa tasarısını veto etmesinin ardındaki nedenleri ve ABD genelindeki kısıtlama eğilimlerini keşfedin. Enerji tüketimi ve AI altyapısı arasındaki dengeyi anlayın.
