No more #Maine #DataCenters for now, lawmakers say

Lawmakers advanced a measure that drew attention last month when one senator said it could kill a previously unannounced project in Sanford.

by Daniel Kool, Posted March 5, Updated March 6, 2026

"Maine lawmakers voted Thursday to advance a bill that would stop the development of new data centers in the state for more than a year.

"The bill, #LD307, would create a temporary limitation on data centers with electric loads of at least 20 megawatts by preventing the state, local governments and quasi-governmental agencies from issuing permits or other approvals until 90 days after the first session of the 133rd Legislature adjourns.

"That will likely be around October 2027, the bill’s sponsor, said Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport.

"That would give a new “Data Center Coordination Council,” also created by the bill, time to study and review the potential impacts of building the centers in Maine. The Department of Energy Resources would be responsible for convening the body.

"Sachs has said the restriction is designed to address future growth without impeding projects that are already well underway, such as one pegged for the former Loring Air Force Base.

"Members of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee have debated the bill for weeks.

"On Thursday, they voted 8-5 in favor of passing the bill with amendments, sending it to the broader Legislature. The committee vote fell along party lines, with Democrats supporting the measure."

Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/03/05/no-more-maine-data-centers-for-now-lawmakers-say/

#SanfordME #JayME #LewistonME #WiscassetME #AWS #NoDatacenters #NoAI #MainePol #UnrestrictedGrowth #WaterIsLife #NoisePollution

#RSU73 votes to keep [discriminatory] #transgender policy despite lawsuit from #MaineHumanRightsCommission

by Julia Simone, WGME, Thu, December 4, 2025
Updated Fri, December 5, 2025

#JayME (WGME) -- "The issue of transgender student athletes in high school sports is once again taking center stage at a Maine school district, with districts facing conflicting guidance from the federal government and the state on how to follow the law.

"A fiery school board meeting was held in Jay Thursday night, as residents and school board members expressed their opinions about the lawsuit the district is facing from the Maine Human Rights Commission.

"Earlier this year, they revised their district policies to recognize only two genders, male and female, under #TitleIX.

"That interpretation of the law aligns with President Donald #Trump’s policy but is at odds with a state law, The #MaineHumanRightsAct, which schools are required to follow.

"One Republican State Representative wants the district to follow the President's lead.

[...]

"The Maine Human Rights Act allows students to participate in sports based on their preferred gender, not necessarily the sex they were born with."

Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/rsu-73-votes-to-keep-transgender-policy-despite-lawsuit-from-maine-human-rights-commission-president-donald-trump-lgbtq

#USPol #MainePol #LGBTQ #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Commission for my buddy Psych.

#alhedgehog #furry #anthro #bent_over #fox #guitar #leotard #thigh_highs #Jayme #female #female_only