Maine lawmakers have approved the LD 307 bill that would temporarily halt new data center development across the state while officials study the industry’s potential impacts. The bill would block municipalities, state agencies and quasi-independent state entities from accepting or approving applications for data centers with an electric load of 20 MW. The moratorium would remain in effect until Nov 1, 2027.
The measure cleared both the House and Senate and now heads to Gov. Janet Mills for consideration. It would pause permitting for large-scale data centers and establish a new council to guide future policy as stated in a Maine.Gov press release.
Melanie F Sachs, Energy, Utilities and Technology chair and Representative, Freeport Maine, said, “Since I brought this bill forward, 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. I am grateful for the strong, bipartisan support this bill has received, and I am hopeful Governor Mills will sign it into law.”
The legislation also directs the Department of Energy Resources to form the Maine Data Center Coordination Council. The group would review the potential benefits and risks associated with data center development and help shape future planning efforts. A final report with findings and recommendations would be due to the Legislature by Feb. 1, 2027.
Readers will recall that similar legislations have also been considered and passed in other democratic states.
In March 2026, US Senator Bernie Sanders (Senator Vermont.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat N.Y.) unveiled legislation on Monday aimed at pausing the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States. The proposed Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act of 2026 would temporarily halt new AI data centers until federal safeguards are in place.
The legislation sections would set federal requirements to ensure AI is safe and effective, that economic gains benefit workers rather than just tech executives, and that AI development does not harm communities or the environment. It would also restrict U.S. exports of AI computing infrastructure to countries lacking similar safeguards.
New York State Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Anna Kelles have recently introduced legislation to impose a temporary, three-year moratorium on new data center construction across the state. The legislation responds to growing public pressure since December 2025, when over 50 groups called for a moratorium, citing unsustainable resource use and rising utility costs.
Maine currently does not have any large-scale data centers, but proposals have emerged in recent weeks, including projects in Sanford and Jay.