Oregon Public Broadcasting discusses data center power usage in weekly recap
A new report by OPB reveals Oregon currently hosts 111 data centers, with 32 more planned, which collectively consume about 23% of the state's power. The report also highlights a lack of data on water usage and other community impacts. This first-of-its-kind study provides key statistics on the industry's footprint in the state.
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) released a first-of-its-kind report detailing the impact of data centers in Oregon. The report indicates that the state currently operates 111 data centers, with an additional 32 facilities under development. These 111 data centers are significant power consumers, utilizing approximately 23% of Oregon's total electricity.
Furthermore, the report highlights the current employment figures, noting that data centers directly employ 2,630 people in the state. A critical finding of the study is the absence of comprehensive data regarding water usage by these facilities and their broader environmental and community impacts. The report aims to shed light on the rapidly growing data center industry within Oregon.