October 5, 2026 — The City of Eastport registered a formal motion to intervene with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday in an attempt to block a controversial subsea artificial intelligence data center proposal, DeepGreen Western Passage SPV.
The councilors, who also sent an accompanying statement to FERC that was posted a day later, joined a growing list of residents and organizations fighting the project, including the nonprofit research group the Center for Biodiversity, by registering official concern over the DeepGreen Western Passage application for 48-month preliminary permit, which was accepted for filing by the agency in August.
The August acceptance of DeepGreen’s FERC preliminary permit application by the Commission kicked off a 60-day process for community members, organizations and other relevant parties to formally intervene in the permit proceedings; that window closes this month.
In a letter to FERC posted on Sept 30, the City Council asked that FERC deny the application.
“We recognize that a preliminary permit would not authorize construction or land-disturbing activities,” councilors wrote. “Nevertheless, it would give DeepGreen priority to pursue development of this project at this location for up to four years. That is a significant procedural benefit involving waters and community interests that are central to Eastport’s economy, heritage, and future.”