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ME’s Data Center Ban & More

April 22, 2026 (1 min read)

ME Lawmakers Pass Data Center Ban

The Maine Legislature passed a bill (HB 207) that would make the state the first to temporarily ban the development of large data centers. The measure would impose an 18-month moratorium on new data centers that use more than 20 megawatts of power and create a council of government officials, experts and other stakeholders to come up with plans for future data center development. Gov. Janet Mills (D) said the measure would have to include an exemption for a proposed $550 million project in the town of Jay in order for her to support it. (MAINE PUBLIC RADIO, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET)

VA Gov Signs Data Center Bills

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed a pair of bills (HB 153 and SB 94) that would require data center developers and those seeking to use 100 megawatts or more of electricity to conduct a site assessment of the noise impact of their project on nearby homes and schools. She also signed a pair of measures (HB 496 and SB 553) requiring authorities that provide water to data centers to publicly disclose the facilities’ water usage. (CARDINAL NEWS, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET)

—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK

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