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Data Centers and Communities: Why the Conversation Demands More Nuance

On April 7, the Maine House voted 82–62 to advance Legislative Document (LD) 307, a bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would impose a moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers with loads of 20 MW or greater until Nov. 1, 2027. The bill would also create the Maine Data Center Coordination Council, tasked with evaluating how large-scale facilities could affect ratepayers, grid reliability, natural resources, and local communities—with a final report due to the legislature by February 2027. There are currently no large-scale AI data centers operating in Maine, but high-profile projects have recently been announced in Sanford and Jay.

Maine’s move is one of the most concrete legislative responses yet to a wave of anxiety sweeping across communities throughout the country. But according to Tracey Hyatt Bosman, managing director, and Tim Comerford, senior vice president at Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. (BLS & Co.), much of that anxiety is fueled by misunderstanding—and the industry has more work to do in telling its own story.

Tracey Hyatt Bosman, CEcD

Managing Director

Tracey Hyatt Bosman develops and executes incentives and location selection strategies for BLS & Co.'s corporate and institutional clients. She is a certified economic developer with twenty years of professional experience across a wide range of sectors, including data centers, manufacturing, headquarters, back office and contact center operations, and logistics.

Timothy R. Comerford

Senior Vice President

Tim Comerford leads a specially-designed interdisciplinary practice focused on assisting companies, developers, municipalities, and real estate advisors with issues that pertain to energy procurement, renewable installation, infrastructure assessments, and utility relocation, with a special focus on mission-critical facilities.

Source:
POWER Magazine
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