Buxton voters will decide temporary data center ban
Buxton Considers 180‑Day Moratorium on Data Centers, Town to Decide in Coming October Meeting
BUXTOWN, Maine – The Buxton Planning Board is weighing a temporary ban on the construction of data centers, a move that would pause all such proposals for six months while the town works out regulatory details. The moratorium would give local officials a chance to draft an ordinance that could shape future development of the high‑water‑usage facilities.
The proposal was tabled during Monday’s planning board session, a few days after a similar measure was adopted by several neighboring communities. “The more you research these data centers, the more you hear about the amount of water they use,” said Buxton resident Keith Gorham. “That’s why a lot of these communities are getting together and saying, ‘No, we don’t want them, we want our water.’”
Data centers – facilities that house servers and storage systems to process vast amounts of digital information – can consume large quantities of water for cooling and other operational needs. Critics argue that the water demands can strain local supply and impact infrastructure. The issue has become a contentious one across Maine, especially after Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a statewide temporary ban in April.
While no data‑center proposal has yet been presented to Buxton officials, the town’s Select Board is planning a special public meeting to let residents weigh in. The board announced Wednesday that it would set a date for either October 7 or October 14. At that meeting, voters will be able to offer comments and ultimately decide whether the moratorium should be adopted.
Buxton is not alone in its hesitation. Within a few miles, Gorham, Scarborough, Westbrook, Biddeford, and Sanford have already enacted 180‑day moratoriums after the governor’s veto. Some towns are even contemplating permanent bans on data‑center development.
If Buxton passes the moratorium, the town will have a full six months to craft and adopt a regulation that could either restrict the type of facilities that may be built or impose specific water‑use and infrastructure requirements. The ordinance would then apply to any data‑center proposal that surfaces during or after the moratorium period.
Residents and developers alike are watching closely. The upcoming October meeting will be a crucial moment for Buxton to determine whether it will join the growing list of Maine towns taking a cautious stance on data‑center expansion.
