The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Town of Brunswick
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Brunswick has enacted a 180-day pause on approvals for new or expanded data centers and bars their operation during that period; it is temporary, not a permanent ban.
Rating from Maine statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Town of Brunswick.
current law · Town of BrunswickProhibits the siting, permitting, construction, or operation of new or expanded data centers in Brunswick for 180 days.Maine Brunswick Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause permits and other approvals for new, expanded, or enlarged data centers, and prohibit their operation during the moratorium period. It lasts 180 days, so it is a substantial but temporary barrier rather than a permanent ban.
Timing
- Ends
- 180 days from its effective date
The moratorium takes effect immediately upon adoption and may be extended by order of the Town Council, or repealed or modified by ordinance.
People behind it
- Julia Henze
Town Manager who introduced the data center moratorium measure to the Town Council.
- Corinne Perreault
Councilor who moved to approve the data center moratorium.
- Ramona Thieme
Councilor who seconded the motion to approve the data center moratorium.
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- Town Council of the Town of Brunswick
Legislative body that enacted the moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements6
Imposes an immediate moratorium on the siting, permitting, construction, and operation of data centers anywhere in Brunswick.
The moratorium lasts 180 days from its effective date, unless the Town Council extends it or repeals or modifies it by ordinance.
During the moratorium, Town officials, boards, and agencies may not accept, process, approve, deny, or otherwise act on applications or requests concerning a new, enlarged, or expanded data center.
The restrictions apply to facilities primarily containing electronic equipment for processing, storing, or transmitting digital information that have at least 10,000 square feet of gross floor area or electrical capacity of at least 20 megawatts.
The moratorium applies retroactively, notwithstanding contrary law, to proceedings or applications filed on or after the ordinance's specified date, which is left as '[DATE]' in the measure.
Operating a data center in violation of the moratorium is a violation for each day it continues, exposing the operator to fines and penalties, injunctive relief, and the Town's reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
The moratorium applies only to facilities meeting the ordinance’s definition of a data center: a facility primarily containing electronic equipment for processing, storing, or transmitting digital information that has at least 10,000 square feet of gross floor area or at least 20 megawatts of electrical capacity. Facilities below both thresholds are not covered by the moratorium.
The moratorium lasts for 180 days from its effective date unless the Town Council extends it or changes it by further action. After the moratorium ends, the ordinance does not itself continue blocking data-center development.
The prohibition on applications and approvals is limited to new, enlarged, or expanded data centers. It does not expressly prohibit the continued operation of an existing data center that is not opened, enlarged, or expanded during the moratorium.
Sources
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