Hillsboro pauses new data centers, issuing 120-day temporary moratorium
Hillsboro's City Council has enacted a 120-day temporary moratorium on new data center construction due to concerns about high electricity and water usage, noise, limited job creation, and tax incentives. This pause allows the city to review its policies and consider new regulations for future land use. The move was supported by community opposition, including a recent rally.
The Hillsboro City Council voted on Monday to implement a 120-day temporary moratorium on the construction of new data centers, marking a significant policy shift for the major Oregon tech hub. The decision was driven by escalating community concerns regarding the high electricity and water consumption associated with these facilities, noise pollution, the limited number of jobs they create for working families, and the tax incentives provided to developers.
City Councilor Olivia Alcaire articulated that data centers do not provide the kind of long-term job opportunities and community investment that working families need, contrasting them with companies that engage union labor. While existing data centers in Hillsboro will continue to operate, future development projects are now on hold.
This temporary pause is intended to provide city councilors with adequate time to thoroughly review current land use policies and consider the implementation of new regulations for data center development. The article also referenced a rally held in rural Washington County on May 16, hosted by the Portland Democratic Socialists of America (Portland DSA), where community members voiced opposition to rapid data center expansion and criticized political leaders for perceived inadequate oversight.