Oregon Governor pauses state land requests for new data centers
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered a statewide pause on all unapproved requests for state-owned property for data center projects. This directive, effective until July 1, 2027, aims to allow a comprehensive evaluation of data centers' impacts on water, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources. The Governor emphasized the need for a statewide approach to protect communities and natural resources.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has issued a directive ordering all state agencies to immediately pause unapproved requests for state-owned property related to new data center projects. The pause, which began Tuesday, September 9, 2026, will remain in effect until July 1, 2027, or until further statewide action from the governor's office or the legislature.
Governor Kotek emphasized that the state needs to understand the "enormous demands" data center corporations place on Oregon's water, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources. She stated that the state should not proceed with new data center projects on public land without a comprehensive statewide evaluation of their long-term impacts, including environmental sustainability and community effects.
This directive follows the Governor's previous decision to halt the planned sale of 32 acres of state land at the Mill Creek Corporate Center in Salem for a proposed data center project. While acknowledging the state currently lacks the authority for a full statewide moratorium on all data center development, Governor Kotek affirmed this action demonstrates her commitment to utilizing existing state controls to address concerns.