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

Meanwhile, in #Maine...

As #dataCenters look to rural #NewEngland, Maine considers a moratorium

The bill’s advocates want answers about how data centers will affect energy costs in the region, which already has some of the country’s highest electricity prices.

By: Julia Tilton, The Daily Yonder - February 23, 2026

"Maine legislators are currently considering #LD307, a resolution bill that would establish a data center coordination council to provide input and evaluate policy options for data center development in the state. The bill comes after a series of data center proposals have been met with local pushback.

"Shortly after #WiscassetME voted to pause its data center conversations in November of 2025, residents in #LewistonME, lobbied their city councilors to reject a $300 million #AIDataCenter on December 16, 2025. There, community members organized over a weekend to change city councilors’ minds from supporting the idea when it was first made public on December 11, 2025, to voting unanimously to reject it the following week.

" 'It really speaks to the importance of adequate public participation and notice,
said Dana Colihan, the co-executive director of Slingshot, an environmental health and justice organization in New England. Colihan is based in Maine and helped residents of Wiscasset and Lewiston organize. 'When community members do find out about these projects, they have really serious concerns around the impacts to their local environment and wellbeing.'

"Richard Davis was among the residents in Wiscasset and neighboring #WestportIsland who, in November of 2025, pushed Wiscasset’s town selectboard, which functions like a city council, to pause conversations about developing a $5 billion data center on a town-owned parcel of land along the Back River, which empties into Maine’s #CascoBay.

"Davis, who lives along the Back River about a mile and a half from the proposed development, said little information about the facility’s end user, utility usage, or power source was provided after it was first made public on September 16, 2025.

"This caused him and others to worry about how the site would affect the town’s resources, including the grid. Along with his neighbors, Davis started #ProtectWiscasset, a grassroots campaign opposing the data center."

Read more:
https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/02/23/as-data-centers-look-to-rural-new-england-maine-considers-a-moratorium/

#MainePol #MaineResists #ResistDatacenters #NoEnergyForAI #AISucks #ResistanceIsFertile

I always find it interesting to see how the opposing side spins stuff...

Planned #Datacenter in #Maine under threat from proposed moratorium

Project in #SanfordME could be killed before it gets off the ground

February 20, 2026

By Dan Swinhoe

"Proposals to bring in a data center moratorium in Maine have threatened [notice the language] plans for a new campus [yeah, like it's a school] in the Pine Tree State.

"The proposed bill, sponsored by Representative #MelanieSachs, includes a two-year moratorium on facilities above 20MW in the state while the impacts of data centers are studied and more stringent controls are put in place.

"However, State Sen. #MattHarrington, R-Sanford, said a pause on development would endanger a new data center planned for his district, detailing a previously unreported project. [Which involves a LOT of SECRECY!!!]

"During a works session, he said the moratorium would impact a proposed 100-300MW project being proposed by a developer, later named as the Northern New England Energy Corporation.

"He said at the time that the project was well into the planning process and had met with local officials and Maine's Department of Energy Resources. [Wah, wah...]

" 'You're completely blindsiding this [OUT OF STATE, AND CONNECTED TO A CANADIAN GAS COMPANY] business,' Harrington said, according to a report from Maine Public.

"Harrington revealed more details in a follow-up Facebook post, saying the project was being targeted on land in Sanford, York County, some 35 miles (56.3km) southwest of Portland.

" 'I was recently briefed by representatives of the Northern New England Energy Company about their plans to develop an energy generation project utilizing a mix of American-made fuel cells, solar power, and battery storage to produce all of the electricity needed to serve a colocated data center,' he said in the post.

"While he was asked not to publicly discuss the project, he said the surprise proposal of a moratorium 'might stop this opportunity for our community from coming to fruition before we even had a chance to consider it altogether.'

"According to its website, Northern New England Energy Corporation (#NNEEC) is an energy company based in Vermont.

"A subsidiary of Énergir, #NNEEC is the parent company of Vermont utility and energy distribution provider #GreenMountainPower Corporation, #VermontGasSystems Inc., and #EGVInsurance Inc.

"#Énergir, formerly known as Gaz Métro, is a Canadian energy company and the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec.

"Maine has a small data center market, with Data Center Map listing just eight facilities in the state, largely centered around Brunswick and Portland.

"A data center is being proposed in the former #LoringAirForceBase, and another is being planned next to a former nuclear power plant in #WiscassetME.

"A project in #LewistonME was rejected by local officials last year." [YES, BY THE PEOPLE!!!]

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/planned-data-center-in-maine-under-threat-from-proposed-moratorium/

#MainePol #BigGas #NoNewDatacenters

So, knowing the area, my guess is that they want to build this #datacenter in #SanfordME. However, once again, datacenter proponents are like, "Oh hey! We already talked to the Sanford Water District." From the article: "David Parent, superintendent of the Sanford Water District, said he had not heard of any such project." Let me guess. State Senator #MattHarrington got a big fat bonus from the mysterious Datacenter Wizard / Con Artist! Also, both #LewistonME and #WiscassetME have REJECTED datacenters!

Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/13/is-a-large-data-center-coming-to-southern-maine/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/Wq3U2

#WaterIsLife #NoDatacenters #MainePol #USPol #NoElectricityForDatacenters #NoWaterForDatacenters

#NoKings2 - SATURDAY, OCT 18

"On #October18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has #NoKings, and The Power Belongs to the People.

Official as listed NO KINGS events in Maine & NH as of October 13th

#AuburnME: 12-2PM - Court St, Longley Bridge
#AugustaME: 1-3PM - Rt 202 Memorial Bridge
#BangorME: 12-2PM - Broadway Park
#BathME: 1-2PM - Sagadahoc Bridge
#BelfastME: 2-5PM - 34 Commerical St
#BlueHillME: 12-1PM – In front of Town Hall
#BridgtonME: 12-2PM - Shorey Park, Main St
#BrunswickME: 11:30-12:30PM - 191 Maine Street
#CalaisME: 11-12:30PM - Flatiron Park, North & Main St
#CastineME: 1-3PM – Castine Common, 86 Court St
#CherryfieldME: 12-2PM - Stewart Park, US Rt 1 & Main St
#ConwayNH: 12-2:00PM - 4 Corners, NH 16 & NH 153
#DexterME: 12-1:00PM - 2 Post Office Rd/1 Church St
#DoverFoxcroftME: 1-2PM - Main St Bridge
#EllsworthME: 12-1:30PM – City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza
#Farmington: 11-12:30PM - 196 Main St
#FreeportME: 8-11:00AM - 134 Main St
#HoultonME: 11-12:00PM – North St near Domino's/Walgreens
#LubecME: 11-12:00PM - Washington St & Main St
#MachiasME: 12-1PM - 16 O'Brien Ave, bottom of College Hill
#Ogunquit: 12-1PM – US Rt 1 in front of Post Office
#OxfordHills: 11-1:00PM - Fair St, Norway & Main St, #SouthParisME
#PortlandME: 1:30-3:00PM - Deering Oaks Park, State St & Park
#PortsmouthNH: 1-3PM - Market Sq
#PresqueIsleME: 10-11:30AM - 1 North St
#RocklandME: 12-1:00PM – Chapman Park, 294 Main St
#RumfordME: 12-1:00PM - Rumford Info Center, Rt 2
#SacoME: 10-12:00PM - Saco Transportation Center, 138 Main St
#SanfordME: 1-3:00PM - Sanford City Hall, 919 Main St
#SouthPortlandME: 11-12:00PM - Erskine Park, B'way & Waterman
#SouthwestHarborME: 11-12:30PM - 315 Main St
#VinalhavenME: 9-11AM - Bandstand, Main St
#WatervilleME: 10-12:00PM - March> UU Church, 69 Silver St
#WayneME: 9-10:00AM - Maine Rt 133 On the Bridge
#WellsME: 1:30-2:30PM - Wells Jr High School, 1470 Post Rd
#WiscassetME: 10-11:00AM - Rt 1 Wiscasset Bridge
#WolfeboroNH: 12-2PM - 153 S Main St & Center
#YarmouthME - 9-9:45AM (then Freeport) - Town Hall, 200 Main
#YorkME: 10-11:00AM - York Town Hall, 186 York St

Check for updates: PineTreeActivism.org
Submit events: [email protected]

#MaineResists #NHResists #ResistFascism #Resistance #NoCrowns
#NoThrones #October18th #MaineEvents #NHEvents

#Midcoast #Maine communities participate in #NoKings Day of Peaceful Action

Several events are scheduled around Maine, including in #BathME, #BrunswickME, #FreeportME, #RocklandME and #WiscassetME.

October 14, 2025

"No Kings, a peaceful protest movement against the Trump administration, has recently announced there are now over 2,500 community events scheduled for its Day of Peaceful Action on Saturday, Oct. 18. These events are organized by average Americans across personal, political and geographic demographics in all 50 states.

"There are five event locations in the Midcoast: the corner of Main and School streets in Freeport, 8-11 a.m.; Wiscasset Bridge on Route 1, 10-11 a.m.; 191 Maine St., Brunswick, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Rockland’s Chapman Park, 294 Main St., noon to 1 p.m.; and Sagadahoc Bridge in Bath, 1-2 p.m. Go to nokings.org/#map to see all No Kings Day of Peaceful Action events.

"Building on the momentum of the June 14 day of action, which drew more than 5 million people across all 50 states, the #October18 mobilization is the next chapter in the No Kings movement. According to a prepared release, the aim of the Day of Peaceful Action is to send a unified message: We are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force.

"Groups organizing the No Kings peaceful protests across the country include #ACLU, #AmericanFederationOfTeachers, #CommonDefense, #50501Movement, #HumanRightsCampaign, #Indivisible, #LeagueOfConservationVoters, #MoveOn, #NationalNursesUnited, #PublicCitizen, #SEIU and #UnitedWeDream, among others.

"All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety, the prepared release said. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide."

Source:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/midcoast-communities-participate-in-no-kings-day-of-peaceful-action/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/TdPF7

#NoKings2 #MaineResists #ResistFascism #Resistance #NoCrowns #NoThrones #October18th #MaineEvents

Um, I'm sure the critters living at the nearby Chewonki nature preserve will NOT appreciate the constant hum of a datacenter! (It's bad enough nuclear waste is still being stored at the site.) And wait, what...?! There is/was plans to build affordable housing at the location? Of course! If folks are poor, put them next to nuclear waste!

#WiscassetME considers building large data center next to former #MaineYankee power plant

Wed, September 24th 2025

https://wgme.com/news/local/wiscasset-considers-building-large-data-center-next-to-former-maine-yankee-power-plant-lincoln-county-maine

#NoKings2 - SATURDAY, OCT 18

"On #October18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has #NoKings, and The Power Belongs to the People.

Official as listed NO KINGS events in Maine & NH as of Sept 24.

#AuburnME: 12-2:00PM - Court St, Longley Bridge
#BangorME: 12-2:00PM - Broadway Park
#BathME: 1-2:00PM - Sagadahoc Bridge
#BelfastME: 2-5:00PM - 34 Commerical St, Belfast
#BridgtonME: 12-2:00PM - Shorey Park, Main St
#CalaisME: 11-12:30PM - Flatiron Park, North & Main St
#CherryfieldME: 12-2:00PM - Stewart Park, US Rt 1 & Main St
#Farmington: 11-12:30PM - 196 Main St
#FreeportME: 8-11:00AM - 134 Main St
#LubecME: 11-12:00PM - Washington St & Main St
#MachiasME: 12-1:00PM - 16 O'Brien Ave, bottom of College Hill
#OxfordHills: 11-1:00PM - Fair St, Norway & Main St, #SouthParisME
#PortlandME: 1:30-3:00PM - Deering Oaks Park, State St & Park
#PortsmouthNH: 1-3:00PM - Market Sq
#PresqueIsleME: 10-11:30AM - 1 North St
#SacoME: 10-12:00PM - Saco Transportation Center, 138 Main St
#SouthPortlandME: 11-12:00PM - Erskine Park, B'way & Waterman
#SouthwestHarborME: 11-12:30PM - 315 Main St
#VinalhavenME: 9-11AM - Bandstand, Main St
#WatervilleME: 10-12:00PM - March> UU Church, 69 Silver St
#WayneME: 9-10:00AM - Maine Rt 133 On the Bridge
#WellsME: 1:30-2:30PM - Wells Jr High School, 1470 Post Rd
#WiscassetME: 10-11:00AM - Rt 1 Wiscasset Bridge
#WolfeboroNH: 12-2:00PM - 153 S Main St & Center
#YorkME: 10-11:00AM - York Town Hall, 186 York St

Check for updates: PineTreeActivism.org
Submit events: [email protected]

#MaineResists #NHResists #ResistFascism #Resistance #NoCrowns #NoThrones #October18th #MaineEvents #NHEvents