Oregon data center committee wants to hear from you before sharing findings with lawmakers
Oregon's Data Center Advisory Committee is seeking public input on proposed new regulations for data centers across the state, with recommendations expected for the 2027 legislative session. This comes as Governor Tina Kotek has issued a moratorium on new data center requests for state-owned land until July 2027. Concerns over energy and water demand, as well as local opposition to projects, are driving the push for new policies.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee, convened by Governor Tina Kotek in January, is currently working to propose new statewide regulations for data centers. The committee, comprising professors, public policy workers, and politicians, released its "Preliminary Learnings and Questions Document" on September 10, 2026, opening a 45-day public comment period until October 24. These recommendations are intended to inform Oregon lawmakers ahead of the 2027 legislative session, where data center policy is expected to be a key focus.
The committee's efforts coincide with Governor Kotek's executive order, issued a day prior to the document's release, which places an immediate pause on new data center requests for state-owned land until July 2027. While this pause does not extend to private land, Gov. Kotek stated it is an action within her current authority and called for the Legislature to do more in the upcoming session. Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan criticized the moratorium for its limited scope, accusing Kotek of a lack of leadership for not extending it to private land, a power reserved for the Legislature under the Oregon constitution.
The initiative addresses growing concerns across the state regarding data centers' high demand for energy and water, with communities like The Dalles, Hillsboro, and Clackamas County already grappling with expansion proposals and local opposition. Google's proposal for more data centers in The Dalles has faced objections from residents concerned about water availability amid rising temperatures and drought. The committee emphasized that public input is a crucial component in forming their final recommendations on how Oregon should approach data center development.