Gov. Janet Mills vetoes bill: April 24, 2026 The 132nd Legislature of the State of Maine State House Augusta, Maine

Source: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/veto_messages/2026-04-ld-307-act-establish-maine-data-center-coordination

A moratorium is appropriate given the impacts of massive data centers in other states on the environment and on electricity rates. But the final version of this bill fails to allow for a specific project in the Town of Jay that enjoys strong local support from its host community and region.

The 2023 closure of the Androscoggin Mill dealt a devastating blow to the Town of Jay and its surrounding area. As a long-time resident of Franklin County, I know well how critical the mill was to generations of working families, ....

Even so, I believe it necessary and important to examine and plan for the potential impacts of large-scale data centers in Maine, as the use of artificial intelligence becomes more widespread. Given the serious conversations about data centers here and around the country, I believe this work should commence without delay.

However, I also believe we must consider the perspective of the Town of Jay, the Franklin County Commissioners, and the regional Chamber of Commerce, among others, which have each written to me expressing their strong support for the Jay project and asking that it be exempted from any moratorium, given the significant economic opportunity it presents for the region.

I supported the exemption and would have signed this bill if it had included it.

https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/veto_messages/2026-04-ld-307-act-establish-maine-data-center-coordination

Read more: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/veto_messages/2026-04-ld-307-act-establish-maine-data-center-coordination