Oregon data centers' reliance on diesel generators raises pollution concerns
News Clip1:23Oregon Public Broadcasting·Umatilla County, OR·7/22/2026
An investigation reveals that tech companies' data centers in Oregon's Lower Umatilla Basin rely on train car-sized diesel generators for power outages, which could lead to massive pollution emissions. The report highlights the significant environmental risks these generators pose, comparing potential emissions to twice that of all cars and trucks on Oregon roads during a major outage. The video questions whether the economic benefits for rural Eastern Oregon communities outweigh these environmental concerns.
environmentalelectricity
Tech companies have amassed train car-sized diesel generators to keep data centers running during power outages. That could bring massive pollution in a major outage — though tech companies are skeptical that could happen.
If there were a major outage today, data center diesel generators in the Lower Umatilla Basin could emit about twice as much pollution as all of the exhaust from cars and trucks on Oregon roads over the same period of time.
But data centers offer economic opportunity and growth in small rural Eastern Oregon communities. Are the financial benefits worth the environmental risks? Read reporter April Ehrlich's investigation at the link in bio.
Editing by Joey Lovato/OPB
Cinematography by Jennifer Ng/OPB
Photo by Saskia Hatvany/OPB