Maine data center fight shapes Collins Senate race and AI policy
Original title: Maine’s data center revolt will decide who controls the Senate
A vetoed statewide moratorium and a poll showing 76 percent local opposition frame the contest.
Opposition to AI data centers has become a central issue in Maine’s US Senate race between Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. The Legislature passed what would have been the first statewide moratorium on large data centers, but Gov. Janet Mills vetoed it 10 days later. Towns have adopted temporary bans, and tech and AI money is funding the race, whose result could affect Senate control and federal data center policy.
Unconfirmed: Spending figures are described as projected, and the article cuts off mid-sentence.
- A UMass Lowell and YouGov poll found 76 percent oppose a local data center.
- Fifty-eight percent of those respondents were strongly opposed.
- Democrats are projected to spend $81 million and Republicans $114 million.
- Collins secured $6.2 million for a central Maine computing hub.
- White says most data centers create virtually no net jobs after construction.
- Organizations
- UMass LowellYouGovTech Influence Watch
- Countries
- United States
From the original article
9 min read at theverge.com
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, was midway through defending her record during the final debate of the midterms when an audience member cut her short. "I'm terrified," a man shouted.
By Abigail Bassett · theverge.com
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