Underwater Data Centers Face Regulatory Hurdles in Maine and Alaska

DeepGreen's proposed underwater data centers in Maine and Alaska face regulatory delays due to endangered species protections and FERC permit constraints.

DeepGreen subsidiaries applied for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) preliminary permits in October 2026 for underwater data centers in Maine’s Bay of Fundy and Alaska’s Cook Inlet. The permits grant four years for studies only—no construction authorization is granted. Both projects face intervention from the National Marine Fisheries Service and Center for Biological Diversity over concerns about North Atlantic Right Whales, which inhabit the Bay of Fundy. The data centers would use tidal energy via hydrokinetic turbines but require passive acoustic monitoring coordination with fisheries agencies. DeepGreen has no public contact details beyond FERC filings. Current status: regulatory review in progress. No construction authorization exists; projects remain in development with significant environmental compliance hurdles.

Source: Heatmap