City of Woodburn Passes 120 Day Moratorium on Data Centers
The Woodburn City Council unanimously voted to implement a 120-day moratorium on data center development. City Manager Scott Derekson will examine factors like water and power, and will report back to the council with findings or a request for an extension.
The Woodburn City Council in Oregon has unanimously passed a 120-day moratorium on new data center developments within city limits. City Manager Scott Derekson informed the council that city officials face a significant task and will continue to investigate all relevant factors, including water consumption for cooling, power requirements, and potential political impacts.
Derekson plans to present either definitive conclusions or a request for a moratorium extension to the council at the end of the 120-day period. The decision reflects a broader trend of local governments considering pauses on data center construction, with Hillsboro, Oregon, having previously adopted a similar resolution, and Salem, Beaverton, and Tigard engaging in formal discussions regarding data center projects.