--- title: "The Entire State of Maine Is Poised to Ban New Data Centers" description: "Data centers designed to power immensely resource-intensive AI models have turned into a major point of contention. The sweeping facilities have proven immensely unpopular, particularly in rural areas, where they've been accused of [causing electricity prices to spike]()." date: "2026-04-06" modified: "2026-04-06" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/state-maine-ban-new-data-centers" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" - "Environment" - "Ethics" - "Science & Energy" --- # The Entire State of Maine Is Poised to Ban New Data Centers ![Maine is expected to become the first state in the US to ban the construction of new data centers — until at least November 2027.]() *Getty / Futurism* Data centers designed to power immensely resource-intensive AI models have turned into a major point of contention. The sweeping facilities have proven immensely unpopular, particularly in rural areas, where they've been accused of [causing electricity prices to spike](). Companies are spending billions of dollars on the computing infrastructure, despite ongoing concerns over [environmental effects]() and [power grid stability](). Now, new legislation in Maine is expected to freeze the construction of new data centers that consume at least 20 megawatts — enough to power about 15,000 homes — in the state until at least November 2027, as [the *Wall Street Journal* reports](), pending environmental and grid assessments. The bill was passed by the Maine House of Representatives last month and is expected to pass in the Senate as well, which would make Maine the first state in the country to ban new data centers. The unprecedented move highlights growing bipartisan political fallout over the AI hype and consequent construction boom. The political momentum shouldn't be too surprising. As [*Heatmap News* points out](), Maine has already seen electricity prices surge almost 60 percent between 2021 and 2026. Major data centers could place an additional strain on the grid and potentially add to the problem. The bill will also likely be closely watched by ten other states that are also weighing similar policies, per the *WSJ*. Other states, including New York, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, have already introduced similar measures. "I think Maine is the canary in the coal mine," Associated Builders and Contractors economist Anirban Basu told the *WSJ*. "Maine will be the first of many states to have such moratoria." The news comes two weeks after senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced a new policy aimed at [curbing new AI data center construction](), a subject they say is "affecting everything from our economy and wellbeing to our democracy, warfare and our kids’ education." Over [200 environmental groups]() have urged Congress to do the same. The growing backlash over the AI-fueled data center frenzy will more than likely [prove extremely polarizing during this year's midterm elections](). As the [*Financial Times* reports](), major tech industries are backing lobbying groups with hundreds of millions of dollars to sway public opinion on AI regulation. Meanwhile, legislators on both sides of the aisle are waking up to a new "political reality." "There is a very strong voter fear of data centers and AI," legal firm Preti Flaherty climate and energy attorney Tony Buxton told the *WSJ*. **More on data centers:** [*Groups Set Up to Shill AI and Data Centers Are Pouring Huge Sums of Money Into the Midterm Elections*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()