Data centers make controversial neighbors: They’re loud, they use a lot of water, and can drive electricity prices up. Following public concern and organizing efforts, Maine nearly implemented an 18-month ban on data center construction, before a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/maine-governor-rejects-first-us-state-freeze-new-data-centers-2026-04-24/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">governor veto</a>.
Joining Flora to talk about real changes <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/maine-data-center-ban/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">communities can advocate for</a> in regards to data centers are Pete McGuire, climate reporter at Maine Public, and Lauren Keeler, director of ASU’s Just Energy Transition Center.
Guests: 
Pete McGuire is climate reporter at Maine Public. 
Dr. Lauren Keeler is an associate professor and director of the Just Energy Transition Center at Arizona State University.
Other episodes you may enjoy:
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/ai-data-centers-cost-pushback/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">As Companies Build Data Centers For AI, Communities Push Back</a></li>
 <li><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/infrastructure-roman-concrete-data-centers-space/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Secrets Of Ancient Concrete, And… Data Centers In Space?</a></li>
</ul>
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/maine-data-center-ban/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sciencefriday.com.</a>
<a href="https://pod.link/73329284" target="_blank">Subscribe to this podcast.</a> Plus, to stay updated on all things science,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank">sign up for Science Friday's newsletters</a>.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Maine nearly became the first state to ban data centers

Science Friday

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews