Maine governor vetoes bill temporarily banning large data centers in the state

Source: Engadget

Background

Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have halted the construction of large data centers in the state until the fall of 2027. The legislation had passed both houses of the Maine Legislature on April 14, 2026, and Mills had previously indicated support for a temporary moratorium, but she wanted an exemption for an existing data‑center project in Jay, Maine.

Details of the Bill

• The bill blocked the construction of data centers that consume 20 megawatts of power or more.
• It directed state agencies and other entities not to issue permits unless proposed projects fell below that energy threshold.
• Passage would have required the creation of a Maine Data Center Coordination Council to provide strategic input, facilitate coordinated state planning, and evaluate policy tools related to data‑center opportunities, benefits, and risks.

Governor’s Response

• Mills vetoed the bill but announced she will sign an executive order to create a council similar to the one proposed.
• She also signed LD 713, which prohibits data centers from participating in Maine’s business‑development tax‑incentive programs.

Broader Context

• Maine is not alone in considering data‑center restrictions. At least 12 other states are exploring similar legislation.
• In New York, lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would block the construction of new data centers for at least three years.
• At the federal level, Senator Bernie Sanders (I‑VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D‑NY) endorsed a bill that would impose a moratorium on new data‑center construction and any upgrades to existing facilities.

Federal Policy

The push to slow AI development and the supporting infrastructure contrasts with the stance of the Trump administration, which has been encouraging faster AI build‑out in the United States. President Donald Trump’s recent AI framework called for streamlining the process of building and powering data centers.

References

• Governor Mills’ veto announcement: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-announces-decision-ld-307-2026-04-24
• Maine Legislature bill PDF: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0207&item=2&snum=132
• New York data‑center bill: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/new-york-lawmakers-introduce-bill-that-aims-to-halt-data-center-development-for-three-years-224005266.html
• Federal moratorium bill: https://www.engadget.com/ai/sanders-and-ocasio-cortez-introduce-a-bill-to-pause-us-data-center-construction-174451974.html
• Trump administration AI framework: https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-white-house-proposes-new-ai-policy-framework-that-supersedes-state-laws-192251995.html