At the end of 2025, the idea of imposing a moratorium on the construction of large data centers gained traction, particularly advocated by Bernie Sanders, a Democratic senator from Vermont.
The state of Maine became the first American state to vote on a moratorium on the construction of large data centers on Tuesday, April 15. This unprecedented measure was motivated by the surge in electricity prices and the environmental concerns raised by the rapid growth of AI-related infrastructures. The legislation, passed by Maine’s legislators, still needs to be approved by Democratic Governor Janet Mills to take effect. Despite Mills’ support for the moratorium, she requested an exemption for a specific project, which was not granted by the lawmakers. Whether or not the bill is enacted, its approval by the local legislative body sets a precedent for 11 other states currently considering similar measures, reflecting the growing political opposition to technology giants’ infrastructure projects. According to Good Jobs First, the other states involved in this issue include Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
In the United States, the idea of moratoriums on data centers gained momentum at the end of 2025, notably championed by Democratic senator Bernie Sanders.
Construction expenses for data centers in the United States have skyrocketed in the past two years, with projections for 2025 exceeding $60 billion compared to less than $7 billion in 2023, as reported by ConstructConnect, a professional data platform. The Maine law prohibits local authorities from issuing permits for data centers with an electrical capacity exceeding 20 megawatts until the fall of 2027, a threshold that corresponds to the large-scale infrastructures being constructed by Silicon Valley giants to keep up with the demand for AI technology. The legislation also establishes a coordinating council to assess the impacts of these installations on the electrical grid, the environment, and residents’ utility bills before any potential lifting of the moratorium.
Maine has experienced one of the highest increases in residential electricity rates in recent years, according to the US Energy Information Agency (EIA). In two cities in the state, data center projects were rejected by local officials at the end of 2025, accusing developers of concealing the extent of their water and electricity consumption.
Recent Developments in Ireland: Governor Janet Mills insisted on an exemption for a project to convert an old paper mill, involving an investment of around $550 million. Mills has ten days to either sign the promulgation, veto it, or let the legislation take effect without her signature.
In a similar vein, across the Atlantic, Ireland implemented a four-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers in the Dublin region in 2021 due to the strain exerted by these new facilities on the EirGrid national electricity grid operator. This moratorium was lifted at the beginning of 2026, accompanied by strengthened regulatory frameworks.
