Data Centers Becoming Key Political Issue in Oregon
Data centers are emerging as a significant political issue across Oregon, sparking protests and leading several local governments, including the cities of Hillsboro and Hood River, to enact moratoria on new developments. Concerns primarily revolve around the vast electricity and water consumption of these facilities. The issue has even influenced state-level politics, with Governor Tina Kotek intervening to halt a proposed project in Salem following public outcry.
Data centers are rapidly becoming a major political flashpoint across Oregon, impacting local elections and leading to significant policy shifts. State Senator Janeen Sollman's re-election loss in Hillsboro, Washington County, was notably influenced by public backlash against data center growth, highlighting strong community sentiments regarding their high electricity and water demands. Following widespread protests, the Hillsboro City Council enacted a four-month moratorium on new data center applications in early August, a move its mayor indicated was to prevent a surge of last-minute proposals.
Similar opposition has materialized in other parts of the state. In Hood River, local officials initially considered approving an Amazon data center but imposed a moratorium through year-end after community protests. Bitcoin mining firm Boxminer's plans for a data center in La Pine faced hundreds of residents opposed at a city council meeting. In Salem, a proposed $5 billion data center by California startup Verrus drew strong public protest, leading Governor Tina Kotek to intervene and quash the state's involvement in the land transaction. Subsequently, the Salem City Council began moving towards its own data center moratorium.
These local actions reflect a broader sentiment, with polls indicating strong statewide and national opposition to data center construction near residential areas. Oregon Rural Action has also called for a moratorium in Umatilla and Morrow Counties. Political analysts suggest the issue taps into broader anxieties about large tech platforms and their resource consumption. While neither major party has fully embraced the issue, Democratic legislators are proposing a statewide moratorium for the 2027 session, indicating data centers are poised to be a significant topic in upcoming fall campaigns.