Maine Governor Janet Mills Vetoes Pioneering Data Center Moratorium Bill

Governor Mills Blocks State-Level Data Center Moratorium

Maine was poised to enact the country’s first state-level moratorium on hyperscale data centers—until Governor Janet Mills vetoed the bill late Friday. While her statement acknowledged that a moratorium might be "appropriate" in principle, Mills refused to sign the legislature’s version to safeguard a single data center project in the town of Jay.

The Jay data center is projected to create 800 temporary jobs and 100 permanent positions in the region.

Industry Praises Veto, Cites Economic Risks

"Enacting a statewide moratorium on data centers would have discouraged investment and sent a signal that Maine is closed for business—both for data centers and economic development projects involving other industries."
— Dan Diorio, spokesperson for the Data Center Coalition

"Critically, it would have denied local communities the opportunity to compete for investment and jobs involving data center projects they found suitable."

Instead of a moratorium, Mills ordered a study on "the potential impacts of large-scale data centers in Maine."

Environmental Groups Condemn Decision

"With this veto, Governor Mills has demonstrated a shocking disconnect with the people of Maine, their elected legislators, and a large and growing national movement against the reckless explosion of this highly problematic industry."
— Mitch Jones, Food and Water Watch

"Mainers and people across the country are becoming increasingly fed up with the skyrocketing electricity rates, false jobs promises, and harmful industrialization of small-town communities that hyperscale data centers bring wherever they land."

Executive Order Establishes Impact Study Council

Rather than pausing construction, Mills will issue an executive order to create a council tasked with studying "the potential impacts of large-scale data centers in Maine."

Moratorium Movement Gains Momentum Nationwide

Data center moratoriums are gaining traction beyond Maine. Twelve states are now considering similar legislation, and dozens of municipalities have already passed local moratoriums. In March, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced a proposal for a nationwide moratorium.

"A year ago, nobody was entertaining a moratorium. Now a fourth of the states are."
— Greg LeRoy, Good Jobs First

Political Fallout Looms for Mills

Mills faces a competitive June Senate primary against Graham Platner, who supported the moratorium. Polls currently show Platner leading Mills by double digits, and her veto could further strain her campaign.

Key Takeaways

• Governor Janet Mills vetoed Maine’s pioneering data center moratorium bill.
• The veto protects a Jay, Maine data center project expected to create 900 jobs.
• Industry groups praised the decision, while environmental advocates condemned it.
• Mills will instead order a study on data center impacts via executive order.
• Twelve states are now considering data center moratoriums; a federal proposal also exists.
• The veto may become a political liability for Mills in her upcoming Senate primary.