Maine's proposed ban on data center construction sparks controversy in the industry.

Maine is pushing forward with landmark legislation that could make it the first state in the U.S. to halt data center construction. The state legislature has passed a bill to ban new data center construction in the state until November 2027, while also establishing a special committee to study a regulatory framework to avoid rising electricity prices and other potential impacts. The bill has bipartisan support but faces strong opposition from the tech industry and businesses. Industry insiders warn that even a short-term halt could put Maine behind in the global data center competition. With the rapid development of the AI ​​industry, a data center construction boom is sweeping across the U.S., making this issue a political focal point. However, the bill still needs Governor Janet Mills' final signature or veto, and her decision is also influenced by her Senate race, leaving the policy direction uncertain. Supporters argue that Maine already faces high electricity prices, and halting construction will buy time to improve energy supply and prevent further burdens on residents; opponents argue that bringing in more businesses to share electricity costs and point out that the existing approval process is sufficient to monitor project risks. Currently, tech giants including Meta, Google, and Microsoft are continuing to expand their data center footprint in other states. (CNBC)