News

Maine lawmakers fail to overturn governor’s veto of data center moratorium

Maine lawmakers fail to overturn governor’s veto of data center moratorium

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The Maine legislature has upheld the governor’s veto of what would have been a first-in-the-nation moratorium on large data centers.

The vote on Wednesday in the Maine House came as lawmakers return to Augusta to take up the governor’s vetoes.

The measure would put a temporary ban on new data center projects of at least 20 megawatts.

A vote to overturn the veto failed to get a two-thirds majority in the House.

Supporters of the legislation said it would give the state time to study the impacts of new data centers on infrastructure and the environment.

Gov. Mills has said she agrees that the rapid expansion of data centers should be carefully evaluated but rejected the bill because it didn’t make an exemption for a proposed $500 million data center at the former paper mill in Jay.

Latest Headlines

11 hours ago in Local

Neighbor charged with murder in Brunswick homicide investigation

A Brunswick man has been charged in the killing of his neighbor.

11 hours ago in Local

Mainers remember sacrifices, lives lost on 9/11

Ceremonies to remember the lives lost on 9/11 took place across Maine on Friday, which marked 25 years since the attacks that shaped the nation's history.

18 hours ago in National, Trending

US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks

Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity.

1 day ago in Local

Drought Conditions Continue to Worsen in Maine

More than 77 percent of the state is under moderate drought

1 day ago in Local

NH Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Child at Cumberland County Campground

The suspect was arrested Wednesday by Kingston, New Hampshire