BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 5, 2026
AI data centers power the modern digital world, fueling everything from smart assistants to cutting-edge research. But with this progress comes questions: How will they affect local resources? What community benefits could they bring? What trade-offs might your town have to make? What will they mean for our local environment, our power grid, our water supply? Will they bring good jobs, or simply siphon resources while profits flow elsewhere? These are looming decisions that will shape the character of Maine’s towns for decades to come. There are no state or federal regulations for AI, nor legal frameworks requiring owners and operators to disclose their energy and water consumption. In fact, a recent executive order promised to preempt regulatory efforts at the state level. Community wellbeing is dependent on a robust and transparent public process. It’s your region, community, or neighborhood that will bear the impact as these facilities are built. ~ Joe Oliva, GrowSmart Maine and Maine Broadband Coalition