Morrow County data center growth brings both promotion and pushback - Oregon Public Broadcasting
Residents in Irrigon raised concerns about the environmental, water and community impacts of additional data centers and related infrastructure in Morrow County. Meanwhile, Amazon and county officials held a public event in Boardman to explain data center development, while Copia Power’s proposed battery storage project and nearby data center remain under review.
Morrow County communities presented contrasting views of the region’s expanding data center industry. Residents speaking at an Irrigon Planning Commission meeting, including farmer Barrett Dash and Gary David, called for greater transparency and raised concerns about water use, air pollution and the benefits of hosting numerous facilities near a small town. Officials discussed developing a survey to gather broader public input on future data center regulations and community concerns.
In Boardman, Morrow County officials and Amazon representatives hosted an informational event about data centers and the approval and zoning process. County Commissioner Gus Peterson said a proposed Copia Power battery storage facility could help data centers rely less on diesel generators, but the company’s application remains under review. Copia has also taken steps toward developing a data center on federal land near Hermiston, while the battery project is proposed near Irrigon and Boardman.