Oregon Gov. orders halt to data center air, water permitting: ‘effectively a temporary moratorium’
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a pause on new and renewed air and water permits for new or expanded data centers through July 1, 2027. Amazon warned the action could affect jobs and investment, while environmental groups supported the pause and called for longer-term reforms.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has directed the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to pause new and renewed air and water permits for new or expanded data centers until July 1, 2027. The agency is evaluating how to implement the order, which effectively creates a temporary moratorium on permitting for the facilities.
Amazon warned that the pause could reduce jobs and investment in Oregon, while environmental groups welcomed the decision and urged the state to adopt lasting reforms. Oregon has more than 120 data centers covering over 2,000 acres, with communities planning for an additional 9,000 acres of development.