La Pine residents pack City Hall to oppose proposed data center

Hundreds of residents in La Pine, Oregon, attended a City Hall meeting on Wednesday night to express overwhelming opposition to a proposed 20-megawatt data center planned near Reed Road, east of Highway 97. The project is currently in early discussions, though the city has initiated steps toward a potential land sale for the development. Residents voiced significant concerns, particularly regarding increased power bills and the data center's substantial water usage, especially given the region's recent lack of winter precipitation. Many attendees expressed feeling blindsided by the project's progression, arguing that the city had not adequately publicized the discussions despite its presence on official agendas. Mayor Janine Earles acknowledged some residents' claims of insufficient prior discussion but noted that the council had previously heard from supporters of the data center at an earlier meeting. However, the majority present emphasized that a project of this magnitude warrants direct community input through a vote, rather than a decision solely by the council. Questions were also raised about the city's capacity to handle potential litigation if the deal were to encounter problems, given the deep pockets of data center companies. City leaders reiterated that no final decision has been made and any land sale would necessitate further approvals and review.