Maine Governor Janet Mills must decide whether to sign a first-in-the-nation moratorium on large AI data centers, passed by the state legislature. The temporary ban would pause new projects for over a year and comes as Mills faces a competitive Democratic Senate primary, adding political pressure to her decision. She had sought an exemption for a proposed $550 million data center in the town of Jay, which was not included in the final bill.
Maine Governor Janet Mills must soon decide whether to sign or veto the nation’s first temporary ban on large AI data centers. The state legislature passed the moratorium, which would pause new projects for over a year and establish a council to vet proposals locally.
The decision arrives as Mills is locked in a bitter Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat. Her rival, Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner, now leads her in polling by a significant margin.
AI data centers have generated controversy due to noise and their impact on local energy prices. No other state has enacted such a ban, though Maine is not yet a major hub for these facilities.
Governor Mills previously stated she wanted an exemption for a proposed $550 million data center in Jay. “The people of Jay need those jobs, with appropriate guardrails on preserving water resources, electricity resources, local generation, and all those things,” she said.
That exemption was not included in the final legislation sent to her desk. The outcome is being watched as AI-focused political groups begin spending heavily on national races.
