Washington County’s latest data center resolution is back on the agenda
The Washington County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to reconsider a data center resolution after Commissioner Nafisa Fai said it was removed from an earlier agenda. The resolution addresses transparency, environmental impacts, water, electricity and public resource concerns, while Hillsboro and Salem are separately considering data center regulations and public input.
Washington County commissioners are expected to revisit a data center resolution on Oct. 20, with a tentative adoption vote set for Oct. 27. Commissioner Nafisa Fai said Vice Chair Jerry Willey removed the item from an earlier agenda because he was unsure whether commissioners had reviewed it; Willey said the resolution needed further consideration. Fai’s proposed amendments would address public transparency, environmental impacts and county fiscal responsibility amid community concerns in unincorporated Washington County.
In Hillsboro, the City Council is preparing to consider an ordinance defining potential limits related to data processing, energy storage and generation, following a 120-day data center moratorium adopted in July. Salem is also planning a town hall on data center development, where residents can comment on water use, noise, jobs and other impacts.