Medford City Council and Planning Commission meeting to discuss data centers
Medford City Council and the Planning Commission met to discuss how the city should address potential data center development, despite there being no active proposals. Resident Matthew Damigos has started a petition opposing data centers, citing concerns about electricity demand, utility costs and water use.
Medford City Council and the Medford Planning Commission held a meeting about data center development and the lack of city planning rules specifically governing such facilities. City officials said there are currently no active proposals for new data centers in Medford, but the issue has become a subject of local debate.
Medford resident Matthew Damigos, who started a petition opposing data center construction, raised concerns about the facilities' potential electricity and water consumption. He argued that increased power demand could lead utilities to raise prices for residents. The discussion comes as Oregon has more than 100 active data centers, with additional facilities under construction.