#noisepollution — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #noisepollution, aggregated by home.social.
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Even small #Maine towns are weighing #DataCenterBans
by Daniel O'Connor August 17, 2026
"Several small towns across Maine are weighing temporary bans on #DataCenter development as a nationwide backlash against #ArtificialIntelligence and #BigTech continues to grow.
"Larger communities like #BangorME quickly passed moratoriums this spring. Fears of data centers are reaching many smaller towns, with several towns in #OxfordCounty that were unlikely to ever see such projects weighing pauses on hypothetical ones.
"After Gov. #JanetMills vetoed what would have been a first-in-the-nation temporary statewide ban, municipalities are taking steps to regulate development of the centers, which have been springing up nationally and have drawn criticism for their power and water use.
"The Democratic governor’s controversial veto, which came just before she ended a U.S. Senate primary, was largely to protect a #JayME project. But the idea fell through weeks later, with some boosters of the project blaming political resistance. #RuralMaine is now leading that.
"#Datacenters are large warehouses that hold computers necessary for #AI and other software to function. There are relatively few in Maine, and those proposed here so far have been small. But massive data centers in other parts of the country have drawn significant ire for their high water and power usage, which can strain local grids."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/77nyE#MainePol #USPol #DatacenterBans #Datacentres #AIDatacenters #WaterConsumption #WaterIsLife #NoisePollution #LandIsLife #EnergyWaste #EnergyConsumption #BigTech #BigData
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Even small #Maine towns are weighing #DataCenterBans
by Daniel O'Connor August 17, 2026
"Several small towns across Maine are weighing temporary bans on #DataCenter development as a nationwide backlash against #ArtificialIntelligence and #BigTech continues to grow.
"Larger communities like #BangorME quickly passed moratoriums this spring. Fears of data centers are reaching many smaller towns, with several towns in #OxfordCounty that were unlikely to ever see such projects weighing pauses on hypothetical ones.
"After Gov. #JanetMills vetoed what would have been a first-in-the-nation temporary statewide ban, municipalities are taking steps to regulate development of the centers, which have been springing up nationally and have drawn criticism for their power and water use.
"The Democratic governor’s controversial veto, which came just before she ended a U.S. Senate primary, was largely to protect a #JayME project. But the idea fell through weeks later, with some boosters of the project blaming political resistance. #RuralMaine is now leading that.
"#Datacenters are large warehouses that hold computers necessary for #AI and other software to function. There are relatively few in Maine, and those proposed here so far have been small. But massive data centers in other parts of the country have drawn significant ire for their high water and power usage, which can strain local grids."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/77nyE#MainePol #USPol #DatacenterBans #Datacentres #AIDatacenters #WaterConsumption #WaterIsLife #NoisePollution #LandIsLife #EnergyWaste #EnergyConsumption #BigTech #BigData
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Even small #Maine towns are weighing #DataCenterBans
by Daniel O'Connor August 17, 2026
"Several small towns across Maine are weighing temporary bans on #DataCenter development as a nationwide backlash against #ArtificialIntelligence and #BigTech continues to grow.
"Larger communities like #BangorME quickly passed moratoriums this spring. Fears of data centers are reaching many smaller towns, with several towns in #OxfordCounty that were unlikely to ever see such projects weighing pauses on hypothetical ones.
"After Gov. #JanetMills vetoed what would have been a first-in-the-nation temporary statewide ban, municipalities are taking steps to regulate development of the centers, which have been springing up nationally and have drawn criticism for their power and water use.
"The Democratic governor’s controversial veto, which came just before she ended a U.S. Senate primary, was largely to protect a #JayME project. But the idea fell through weeks later, with some boosters of the project blaming political resistance. #RuralMaine is now leading that.
"#Datacenters are large warehouses that hold computers necessary for #AI and other software to function. There are relatively few in Maine, and those proposed here so far have been small. But massive data centers in other parts of the country have drawn significant ire for their high water and power usage, which can strain local grids."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/77nyE#MainePol #USPol #DatacenterBans #Datacentres #AIDatacenters #WaterConsumption #WaterIsLife #NoisePollution #LandIsLife #EnergyWaste #EnergyConsumption #BigTech #BigData
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Even small #Maine towns are weighing #DataCenterBans
by Daniel O'Connor August 17, 2026
"Several small towns across Maine are weighing temporary bans on #DataCenter development as a nationwide backlash against #ArtificialIntelligence and #BigTech continues to grow.
"Larger communities like #BangorME quickly passed moratoriums this spring. Fears of data centers are reaching many smaller towns, with several towns in #OxfordCounty that were unlikely to ever see such projects weighing pauses on hypothetical ones.
"After Gov. #JanetMills vetoed what would have been a first-in-the-nation temporary statewide ban, municipalities are taking steps to regulate development of the centers, which have been springing up nationally and have drawn criticism for their power and water use.
"The Democratic governor’s controversial veto, which came just before she ended a U.S. Senate primary, was largely to protect a #JayME project. But the idea fell through weeks later, with some boosters of the project blaming political resistance. #RuralMaine is now leading that.
"#Datacenters are large warehouses that hold computers necessary for #AI and other software to function. There are relatively few in Maine, and those proposed here so far have been small. But massive data centers in other parts of the country have drawn significant ire for their high water and power usage, which can strain local grids."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/77nyE#MainePol #USPol #DatacenterBans #Datacentres #AIDatacenters #WaterConsumption #WaterIsLife #NoisePollution #LandIsLife #EnergyWaste #EnergyConsumption #BigTech #BigData
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#OldTownME council presses ahead with ban on #datacenters
by Kasey Turman, September 8, 2026
"The Old Town City Council approved the first step toward a temporary ban on data centers in the city.
"Councilors discussed the draft of the short-term ban, or moratorium, on data centers in Old Town’s industrial zones during their meeting Tuesday, and voted unanimously to continue the process at a special council meeting on Sept. 21.
"Maine communities have brought forward bans on data centers throughout the year to slow down possible projects and allow time to learn about the economic and environmental effects they can have on a community before enacting policies or long-term bans. Old Town’s ban was brought forward as a 'proactive opportunity' to learn and create policy before a center is proposed to be built in the city, Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
"The proposed ban would last 180 days and be retroactive to Tuesday’s meeting.
Old Town could be a desirable city for a data center because of its industrial zones and history of having businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, Council President Christian Pushor said. With centers being proposed in other areas of the state, it makes sense for the council to temporarily ban the developments while studying the economic and #environmental effects they could have, Pushor said."Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/09/08/bangor/bangor-government/old-town-data-center-ban/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LAAwj#MainePol #Datacenters #DataCenterMoratorium #NoDatacenters
#BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #WaterIsLife -
#OldTownME council presses ahead with ban on #datacenters
by Kasey Turman, September 8, 2026
"The Old Town City Council approved the first step toward a temporary ban on data centers in the city.
"Councilors discussed the draft of the short-term ban, or moratorium, on data centers in Old Town’s industrial zones during their meeting Tuesday, and voted unanimously to continue the process at a special council meeting on Sept. 21.
"Maine communities have brought forward bans on data centers throughout the year to slow down possible projects and allow time to learn about the economic and environmental effects they can have on a community before enacting policies or long-term bans. Old Town’s ban was brought forward as a 'proactive opportunity' to learn and create policy before a center is proposed to be built in the city, Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
"The proposed ban would last 180 days and be retroactive to Tuesday’s meeting.
Old Town could be a desirable city for a data center because of its industrial zones and history of having businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, Council President Christian Pushor said. With centers being proposed in other areas of the state, it makes sense for the council to temporarily ban the developments while studying the economic and #environmental effects they could have, Pushor said."Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/09/08/bangor/bangor-government/old-town-data-center-ban/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LAAwj#MainePol #Datacenters #DataCenterMoratorium #NoDatacenters
#BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #WaterIsLife -
#OldTownME council presses ahead with ban on #datacenters
by Kasey Turman, September 8, 2026
"The Old Town City Council approved the first step toward a temporary ban on data centers in the city.
"Councilors discussed the draft of the short-term ban, or moratorium, on data centers in Old Town’s industrial zones during their meeting Tuesday, and voted unanimously to continue the process at a special council meeting on Sept. 21.
"Maine communities have brought forward bans on data centers throughout the year to slow down possible projects and allow time to learn about the economic and environmental effects they can have on a community before enacting policies or long-term bans. Old Town’s ban was brought forward as a 'proactive opportunity' to learn and create policy before a center is proposed to be built in the city, Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
"The proposed ban would last 180 days and be retroactive to Tuesday’s meeting.
Old Town could be a desirable city for a data center because of its industrial zones and history of having businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, Council President Christian Pushor said. With centers being proposed in other areas of the state, it makes sense for the council to temporarily ban the developments while studying the economic and #environmental effects they could have, Pushor said."Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/09/08/bangor/bangor-government/old-town-data-center-ban/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LAAwj#MainePol #Datacenters #DataCenterMoratorium #NoDatacenters
#BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #WaterIsLife -
#OldTownME council presses ahead with ban on #datacenters
by Kasey Turman, September 8, 2026
"The Old Town City Council approved the first step toward a temporary ban on data centers in the city.
"Councilors discussed the draft of the short-term ban, or moratorium, on data centers in Old Town’s industrial zones during their meeting Tuesday, and voted unanimously to continue the process at a special council meeting on Sept. 21.
"Maine communities have brought forward bans on data centers throughout the year to slow down possible projects and allow time to learn about the economic and environmental effects they can have on a community before enacting policies or long-term bans. Old Town’s ban was brought forward as a 'proactive opportunity' to learn and create policy before a center is proposed to be built in the city, Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
"The proposed ban would last 180 days and be retroactive to Tuesday’s meeting.
Old Town could be a desirable city for a data center because of its industrial zones and history of having businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, Council President Christian Pushor said. With centers being proposed in other areas of the state, it makes sense for the council to temporarily ban the developments while studying the economic and #environmental effects they could have, Pushor said."Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/09/08/bangor/bangor-government/old-town-data-center-ban/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LAAwj#MainePol #Datacenters #DataCenterMoratorium #NoDatacenters
#BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #WaterIsLife -
#BangorME City Council votes to extend #DataCenterMoratorium
By WABI News Desk
Published: Sep. 28, 2026BANGOR, #Maine (WABI) - "The Bangor City Council has unanimously voted to extend a freeze on new #datacenters.
"Councilors voted 8-0 Monday night to add another 180 days to the city’s data center moratorium.
"Officials say Bangor faces growing interest from developers looking to build data centers, which take up large tracts of land and require massive amounts of power and water for cooling.
"Because city ordinances weren’t designed for facilities of this scale, councilors say the extra six months will give them time to draft zoning rules that protect local infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring property owners."
Source:
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/09/29/bangor-city-council-votes-extend-data-center-moratorium/#MainePol #NoDatacenters #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #WaterConsumption #EnergyWaste #LandIsLife #Datacentres
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#BangorME City Council votes to extend #DataCenterMoratorium
By WABI News Desk
Published: Sep. 28, 2026BANGOR, #Maine (WABI) - "The Bangor City Council has unanimously voted to extend a freeze on new #datacenters.
"Councilors voted 8-0 Monday night to add another 180 days to the city’s data center moratorium.
"Officials say Bangor faces growing interest from developers looking to build data centers, which take up large tracts of land and require massive amounts of power and water for cooling.
"Because city ordinances weren’t designed for facilities of this scale, councilors say the extra six months will give them time to draft zoning rules that protect local infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring property owners."
Source:
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/09/29/bangor-city-council-votes-extend-data-center-moratorium/#MainePol #NoDatacenters #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #WaterConsumption #EnergyWaste #LandIsLife #Datacentres
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#BangorME City Council votes to extend #DataCenterMoratorium
By WABI News Desk
Published: Sep. 28, 2026BANGOR, #Maine (WABI) - "The Bangor City Council has unanimously voted to extend a freeze on new #datacenters.
"Councilors voted 8-0 Monday night to add another 180 days to the city’s data center moratorium.
"Officials say Bangor faces growing interest from developers looking to build data centers, which take up large tracts of land and require massive amounts of power and water for cooling.
"Because city ordinances weren’t designed for facilities of this scale, councilors say the extra six months will give them time to draft zoning rules that protect local infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring property owners."
Source:
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/09/29/bangor-city-council-votes-extend-data-center-moratorium/#MainePol #NoDatacenters #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #WaterConsumption #EnergyWaste #LandIsLife #Datacentres
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#BangorME City Council votes to extend #DataCenterMoratorium
By WABI News Desk
Published: Sep. 28, 2026BANGOR, #Maine (WABI) - "The Bangor City Council has unanimously voted to extend a freeze on new #datacenters.
"Councilors voted 8-0 Monday night to add another 180 days to the city’s data center moratorium.
"Officials say Bangor faces growing interest from developers looking to build data centers, which take up large tracts of land and require massive amounts of power and water for cooling.
"Because city ordinances weren’t designed for facilities of this scale, councilors say the extra six months will give them time to draft zoning rules that protect local infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring property owners."
Source:
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/09/29/bangor-city-council-votes-extend-data-center-moratorium/#MainePol #NoDatacenters #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #WaterConsumption #EnergyWaste #LandIsLife #Datacentres
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#Missouri - After Johnson County #datacenter lawsuit, petitioners say town ‘retaliated’
By Eleanor Nash August 18, 2026
"Two Johnson County residents involved in an anti-data center petition in #Edgerton say a lawsuit filed by the city is retaliation and infringes on their #FirstAmendment rights.
"Carrie Schmidt and Kimberly Twente were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by the City of Edgerton on Aug. 4. The suit aims to block a possible municipal vote on a data center ban in the Johnson County town, through a temporary restraining order and injunction.
"Schmidt and Twente were involved in the citizen-led petition to allow Edgerton residents to vote on a ballot initiative classifying data centers as industrial nuisances. With 208 signatures, the petition received enough support to appear on the ballot in the town of 1,924 people, the Johnson County Election Office confirmed."
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/johnson-county/article316909468.html
#NoDatacenters #BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #CitizenInitiatives
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#Missouri - After Johnson County #datacenter lawsuit, petitioners say town ‘retaliated’
By Eleanor Nash August 18, 2026
"Two Johnson County residents involved in an anti-data center petition in #Edgerton say a lawsuit filed by the city is retaliation and infringes on their #FirstAmendment rights.
"Carrie Schmidt and Kimberly Twente were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by the City of Edgerton on Aug. 4. The suit aims to block a possible municipal vote on a data center ban in the Johnson County town, through a temporary restraining order and injunction.
"Schmidt and Twente were involved in the citizen-led petition to allow Edgerton residents to vote on a ballot initiative classifying data centers as industrial nuisances. With 208 signatures, the petition received enough support to appear on the ballot in the town of 1,924 people, the Johnson County Election Office confirmed."
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/johnson-county/article316909468.html
#NoDatacenters #BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #CitizenInitiatives
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#Missouri - After Johnson County #datacenter lawsuit, petitioners say town ‘retaliated’
By Eleanor Nash August 18, 2026
"Two Johnson County residents involved in an anti-data center petition in #Edgerton say a lawsuit filed by the city is retaliation and infringes on their #FirstAmendment rights.
"Carrie Schmidt and Kimberly Twente were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by the City of Edgerton on Aug. 4. The suit aims to block a possible municipal vote on a data center ban in the Johnson County town, through a temporary restraining order and injunction.
"Schmidt and Twente were involved in the citizen-led petition to allow Edgerton residents to vote on a ballot initiative classifying data centers as industrial nuisances. With 208 signatures, the petition received enough support to appear on the ballot in the town of 1,924 people, the Johnson County Election Office confirmed."
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/johnson-county/article316909468.html
#NoDatacenters #BigData #NoisePollution #Datacentres #CitizenInitiatives
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#SalemOR pauses #DataCenter projects for 4 months
Sep. 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT
SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - "The Salem City Council voted during a public hearing Monday night to approve a four-month moratorium on the development and construction of #datacenters across the city.
"The temporary ban remains in effect until Jan. 19, during which the city cannot approve any data center applications regardless of their size, capacity or intended purpose. Councilors plan to reexamine the issue and consider whether to extend the freeze in January.
"Salem joins a growing list of #Oregon communities pressing pause on the facilities, following similar temporary bans enacted in #Hillsboro and #Woodburn. Gov. Tina Kotek has also directed state agencies to hold off on unapproved requests for new data centers on state-owned land until next year.
"A recent statewide assessment conducted by economic consulting firm ECONorthwest and the University of Virginia, funded by The Lemelson Foundation identified 111 operational data centers across Oregon, which consumed more than 14 terawatt-hours of electricity last year. That total equals about 71% of all electricity sold to Oregon households combined. Power usage by the sector has nearly quadrupled since 2020 and could account for approximately one-third of the state’s entire electricity demand by 2030."
Read more:
https://www.kptv.com/2026/09/22/salem-pauses-data-center-projects-4-months/#NoDatacenters #OregonPol #NoisePollution #EnergyWaste #WaterIsLife
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#SalemOR pauses #DataCenter projects for 4 months
Sep. 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT
SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - "The Salem City Council voted during a public hearing Monday night to approve a four-month moratorium on the development and construction of #datacenters across the city.
"The temporary ban remains in effect until Jan. 19, during which the city cannot approve any data center applications regardless of their size, capacity or intended purpose. Councilors plan to reexamine the issue and consider whether to extend the freeze in January.
"Salem joins a growing list of #Oregon communities pressing pause on the facilities, following similar temporary bans enacted in #Hillsboro and #Woodburn. Gov. Tina Kotek has also directed state agencies to hold off on unapproved requests for new data centers on state-owned land until next year.
"A recent statewide assessment conducted by economic consulting firm ECONorthwest and the University of Virginia, funded by The Lemelson Foundation identified 111 operational data centers across Oregon, which consumed more than 14 terawatt-hours of electricity last year. That total equals about 71% of all electricity sold to Oregon households combined. Power usage by the sector has nearly quadrupled since 2020 and could account for approximately one-third of the state’s entire electricity demand by 2030."
Read more:
https://www.kptv.com/2026/09/22/salem-pauses-data-center-projects-4-months/#NoDatacenters #OregonPol #NoisePollution #EnergyWaste #WaterIsLife
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#SalemOR pauses #DataCenter projects for 4 months
Sep. 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT
SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - "The Salem City Council voted during a public hearing Monday night to approve a four-month moratorium on the development and construction of #datacenters across the city.
"The temporary ban remains in effect until Jan. 19, during which the city cannot approve any data center applications regardless of their size, capacity or intended purpose. Councilors plan to reexamine the issue and consider whether to extend the freeze in January.
"Salem joins a growing list of #Oregon communities pressing pause on the facilities, following similar temporary bans enacted in #Hillsboro and #Woodburn. Gov. Tina Kotek has also directed state agencies to hold off on unapproved requests for new data centers on state-owned land until next year.
"A recent statewide assessment conducted by economic consulting firm ECONorthwest and the University of Virginia, funded by The Lemelson Foundation identified 111 operational data centers across Oregon, which consumed more than 14 terawatt-hours of electricity last year. That total equals about 71% of all electricity sold to Oregon households combined. Power usage by the sector has nearly quadrupled since 2020 and could account for approximately one-third of the state’s entire electricity demand by 2030."
Read more:
https://www.kptv.com/2026/09/22/salem-pauses-data-center-projects-4-months/#NoDatacenters #OregonPol #NoisePollution #EnergyWaste #WaterIsLife
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#SalemOR pauses #DataCenter projects for 4 months
Sep. 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT
SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - "The Salem City Council voted during a public hearing Monday night to approve a four-month moratorium on the development and construction of #datacenters across the city.
"The temporary ban remains in effect until Jan. 19, during which the city cannot approve any data center applications regardless of their size, capacity or intended purpose. Councilors plan to reexamine the issue and consider whether to extend the freeze in January.
"Salem joins a growing list of #Oregon communities pressing pause on the facilities, following similar temporary bans enacted in #Hillsboro and #Woodburn. Gov. Tina Kotek has also directed state agencies to hold off on unapproved requests for new data centers on state-owned land until next year.
"A recent statewide assessment conducted by economic consulting firm ECONorthwest and the University of Virginia, funded by The Lemelson Foundation identified 111 operational data centers across Oregon, which consumed more than 14 terawatt-hours of electricity last year. That total equals about 71% of all electricity sold to Oregon households combined. Power usage by the sector has nearly quadrupled since 2020 and could account for approximately one-third of the state’s entire electricity demand by 2030."
Read more:
https://www.kptv.com/2026/09/22/salem-pauses-data-center-projects-4-months/#NoDatacenters #OregonPol #NoisePollution #EnergyWaste #WaterIsLife