Will Maine Gov. Janet Mills sign the nation’s first AI data center ban into law?

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, currently locked in a bitter Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat, will have to decide in the coming days whether to sign or veto the nation’s first ban on artificial intelligence data centers.

Earlier this week, Maine’s legislature became the first in the country to pass a moratorium on data centers above a certain size. The ban would last more than a year, and the legislation would also create a board to vet proposed projects citywide.

AI data centers, which are often massive, have attracted a lot of controversy as they pop up in communities across the country with increasing speed. Complaints have focused on the loud, sometimes significant, noise generated by the buildings impact On local energy prices.

However, no country has yet been able to ban the construction of data centers, even for a limited period of time. Maine isn’t a particular hotspot for AI power supplies, at least not yet — but the backlash against the controversial energy centers was enough in the independent-minded, nature-loving state to see the ban pass through both chambers of the state legislature with little resistance.

Now, Governor Mills will have to choose whether to sign the moratorium into law, or potentially veto it. Last week, Mills told reporters she wanted an exception from the legislation for a proposed $550 million data center in Jay, a small town in the middle of the state.

“The people of Jay need those jobs, with proper guardrails to conserve water resources, electrical resources, local generation, all of those things,” the governor said.

This exemption was not included in the moratorium ultimately passed by the state legislature.

What may further complicate the decision is the fact that Mills is currently locked in a bitter primary for a seat in the US Senate against his upstart Democratic challenger, Graham Blattner, an oyster farmer from Maine. Despite Mills’ status as the state’s top official, Blatner, who is running to the governor’s left, is now leading it in the election. Ballot By a large margin.

Focusing on a hot-button issue like artificial intelligence — with her Senate race heating up — may not be at the top of Mills’ to-do list. But the governor will soon have to make a call one way or another. Operators of the growing number of AI-focused super PACs that are starting up are likely to take notice dumping Millions of dollars on national races this year.

Representatives for Mills did not immediately respond DecryptionRequest for comment.