Maine Legislature Passes First State-Wide Data Center Moratorium in the U.S.
April 15, 2026
In a significant move that could set a precedent for other states, the Maine legislature has passed the nation's first state-wide moratorium on new large-scale data center projects. The development highlights the growing tension between the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure and concerns over its environmental and community impacts.
The bill, known as LD307 and sponsored by Democratic Representative Melanie Sachs, cleared the state House in early April and received Senate approval on April 14. The legislation imposes a temporary halt on state agencies accepting applications for data center projects proposing more than 20 megawatts of capacity. This moratorium is set to remain in effect until November 1, 2027.
During this approximately 18-month period, state authorities are mandated to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of data centers. The process will also involve establishing more stringent regulatory controls and creating a new 'Maine Data Center Coordination Council.' This council is tasked with providing strategic input and evaluating policy tools to manage future data center development. If enacted, the law would directly impact ambitious projects like a proposed 100-300MW campus by the Northern New England Energy Company.
The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Janet Mills to become law. Its passage through the legislature represents a notable victory for advocates of increased state-level oversight of an industry traditionally regulated at the municipal level. "This provides strategic input, facilitates coordinated state planning considerations, and evaluates policy tools to address data center opportunities," the bill states regarding the council's role.
Maine's action is part of a broader national trend. Lawmakers in over a dozen states, including Virginia, Georgia, and New York, have introduced similar proposals for state-wide restrictions. Furthermore, the debate has reached the federal level; U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the 'Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act' three weeks ago. That proposed federal legislation seeks to pause data center construction until safeguards for workers, consumers, the environment, and civil rights are established.
Source: datacenterdynamics
