The Innovation Action Committee is a working group of local economic developers, community leaders, and energy advocates organized by the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC) to explore scalable, responsible energy solutions that can support data center investment and economic growth in Aroostook County.

Aroostook County offers abundant, affordable land, a cool climate for natural data center cooling, and access to a robust fiber optic network. Its proximity to Canadian power grids and lower risk of natural disasters make it an ideal candidate for hyperscale and regional data centers

Not necessarily. With proper planning, data centers can be powered by dedicated infrastructure — including new pipelines, direct renewable transmission lines, and supplemental generation — without impacting residential rates. In fact, increased local demand may help stabilize prices by attracting infrastructure investment.

While wind and solar are essential to Maine’s clean energy future, they are intermittent and cannot meet 24/7 demand on their own. Natural gas and SMRs provide dispatchable, scalable power that complements renewables and ensures grid stability. This is not about replacing clean energy — it’s about marrying technologies to build a resilient system.

An SMR is a next-generation nuclear technology designed to provide safe, scalable, low-emission power. Unlike older large nuclear plants, SMRs are compact, factory-built, and can be deployed in rural or industrial areas with minimal footprint and maximum safety.

Modern SMRs are designed with passive safety features and meet rigorous federal standards. They emit zero greenhouse gases and take up far less space than wind or solar farms. Countries and U.S. states are increasingly adopting SMRs to meet climate and reliability goals.

Site selection will prioritize flat, build-ready land that avoids residential disruption and preserves agricultural use. Much of the proposed infrastructure — including transmission lines and data center campuses — can be co-located with existing development zones.

Yes. Data center development would result in significant temporary construction jobs (civil, electrical, automation) and ongoing supporting roles in infrastructure, security, maintenance, and fiber operations. It would also increase the local tax base and attract related industries.

This effort is led locally by the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation and a coalition of stakeholders in telecom, construction, education, and government. We are working with energy providers, tribal entities, and policy experts to develop a responsible long-term plan.

The Long Pine Wind Project is one of several renewable sources proposed to generate clean power in Aroostook County. It could serve as an initial energy source for new data centers. However, projections show that renewable sources alone won’t be able to support growth beyond 2030 — hence the need for dispatchable generation.

We are developing a phased lobbying strategy to engage:

Maine’s PUC and EUT Committee

The Governor’s Office

The Department of Energy (DOE) and federal agencies

We are also creating public resources and talking points to educate the broader community and encourage constructive dialogue.site visitors.