Maine plans to implement data center construction ban, sparking industry controversy Odaily Planet Daily News: Maine in the United States is pushing for a landmark legislation that may become the first state in the country to suspend data center construction. The local legislative body has passed a bill to ban the construction of new data centers in the state until November 2027, and to establish a dedicated committee to study regulatory frameworks to avoid rising electricity prices and other potential impacts. The bill received support from both parties, but was strongly opposed by the technology industry and businesses. Industry insiders warn that even a short-term pause could leave Maine behind in the global data center competition. With the rapid development of the AI industry, a wave of data center construction is sweeping across the United States, and this issue has become a political focus. However, the bill still needs to be signed or vetoed by Governor Janet Mills, and her decision is also influenced by her senatorial campaign situation, with policy direction still uncertain. Supporters believe that Maine is already facing high electricity prices, and suspending construction will help buy time to increase energy supply and prevent further burden on residents; Opponents argue that introducing more electricity for businesses would help share costs and point out that the existing approval process is sufficient to monitor project risks. Currently, tech giants such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft are continuing to expand their data center layouts in other states. （CNBC）