Maine’s data center revolt will decide who controls the Senate

The expansion of energy- and water-intensive data centres has become a major issue in Maine’s Senate race between Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. The result could help decide which party controls the Senate and influence federal policy on data centres and AI, with consequences beyond Maine.

Maine has cheap land, vacant industrial sites and plentiful water, making it attractive to developers. A proposed statewide moratorium passed by the legislature in April but was vetoed by Governor Janet Mills; towns have since adopted temporary bans or put expansion to voters. A September poll found 76 per cent of respondents opposed a data centre in their community, while the campaigns are projected to spend $81 million on the Democratic side and $114 million on the Republican side. Local concerns include pressure on utility costs, while critics say data centres tend to create few lasting jobs after construction.