Umatilla County Commissioner Discusses Data Center Policy and Public Opposition
Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran, who serves on Oregon's Data Center Advisory Committee, encourages the public to research data centers, noting that much opposition might stem from anti-AI sentiment. The committee is formulating statewide policy recommendations to address data center growth, covering issues like energy and water consumption, with a report due to Governor Kotek by October.
Dan Dorran, Chair of the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners and a member of the Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee, is urging the public to educate themselves on data centers, suggesting that much of the opposition to these facilities is actually directed at artificial intelligence technology. Dorran, representing Hermiston, contends that opponents often target data centers as their primary outlet for concerns about AI.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee, on which Dorran serves, is actively developing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations and actions. These measures are designed to address the statewide challenges and opportunities associated with the rapidly expanding data center sector across Oregon. The committee is expected to submit its final report to Governor Tina Kotek no later than October of this year.
Dorran, who is knowledgeable about data center operations and their energy demands, emphasized that the environmental impact is often exaggerated by opponents. He cited an example, stating that in a warm climate like Hermiston, a typical data center's water usage is comparable to that of a laundromat serving a city of 20,000 residents.