The US state of Maine has become the first state to call for a temporary halt to the construction of large data centers driven by artificial intelligence (AI) demand. A bill passed by both legislative chambers, if signed by Democratic Governor Janet Mills, will pause approvals for data centers requiring more than 20 megawatts of power until late 2027, while a state council studies their impact on electricity grids, costs, and the environment.
The bill's sponsor, Representative Melanie Sachs, stated, "People and communities across the state have been asking the Legislature to take action and temporarily pause these projects, which could have significant impacts on ratepayers, our electric grid and our environment." She added, "This bill positions Maine to respond deliberately and responsibly to a rapidly evolving industry."
Supporters of the bill say the move responds to mounting concerns that energy-intensive data centers could strain local power systems, raise household electricity bills, and consume large amounts of land and water. According to the US Energy Information Administration, Maine has seen rising energy costs in recent years, adding to public opposition. A recent poll found 65% of Americans oppose having a data center built in their community.
Governor Mills had earlier pushed for an exemption for a smaller project that would use existing infrastructure with minimal impact on the grid or energy bills. Representative Sachs noted that currently, Maine has no major data centers, though some proposals have emerged in recent weeks.
Similar proposals are currently being discussed by 11 other US states. In February, residents of New Brunswick in New Jersey mobilized to veto data center plans citing energy consumption, environmental impact, and real estate footprint. Last month, Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced legislation to halt all construction on data centers until Congress passes AI safety legislation. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal also introduced measures addressing the impact of data centers on energy costs.
Source: www.dw.com