Citing the nationwide growth of data centers, Westbrook officials plan to propose a 180-day moratorium next week, the mayor’s office announced Tuesday.
The proposal is slated for the City Council’s Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting on May 18 and could be put to a vote as early as the June 1 City Council meeting.
“People are very concerned about the rapid proliferation of data centers driven by AI and cloud computing. I share that concern. While none has been proposed in Westbrook, a moratorium would be prudent so we can be prepared,” said Westbrook Mayor David Morse.
“Westbrook has a reputation for thoughtful planning and development, and taking the time to study this issue carefully is in line with our planning philosophy,’ he added.
The move comes less than a month after Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a proposed statewide data center ban and expressed support for a $550 million plan to transform a shuttered paper mill in the Franklin County town of Jay into a data center.
Separately last month, Mills signed an executive order creating the Maine Data Center Advisory Council to study the issue and make recommendations to the Legislature.
Some lawmakers, including House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, have asked municipalities to consider their own local moratoriums.
Buying time
At Morse’s direction, Westbrook city staff reviewed data center development in Maine and a proposed statewide moratorium vetoed by Mills.
Officials concluded that a 180-day pause would give staff time to study the issue and recommend appropriate standards to the Westbrook City Council in the event a data center is proposed.
Without clear local regulations in place, a data center could strain city infrastructure, services and resources, according to Tuesday’s news release.
A 180-day pause would give the city time to assess impacts and consider updates to Westbrook’s land use ordinance and other codes related to data centers, it said.
