Overview
- Maine’s bill would pause projects of 20 megawatts or more until November 2027 and, after clearing the House last month, is expected to pass the Senate, which would make it the first state to block new data centers.
- Across the country, at least 11 states are weighing temporary bans and more than 30 have floated or approved extra charges so data centers cover grid upgrades, as utilities warn the fast-growing load could lift wholesale power prices by up to 50 percent.
- The White House hosted tech leaders for a voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge to secure their own power and pay for needed lines, but advocates say it lacks specifics, oversight, and teeth.
- Big tech is also cutting one-off deals, with Google funding 1,900 megawatts of new wind, solar, batteries, and grid upgrades in Minnesota and Meta backing seven gas plants plus 200 miles of lines in Louisiana.
- A new Searchlight Institute report urges a dedicated fund paid by hyperscalers to build transmission and clean energy under public oversight, arguing it would speed connections and protect ratepayers.