Oregon governor pauses data centers on state land
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a roughly one-year pause on new data center approvals on state-owned land or in state buildings, effective until July 1, 2027. This action comes after a rally by advocacy groups calling for a three-year statewide moratorium on data center development. The governor stated the state currently lacks authority to enact a full statewide moratorium but supports a pause to ensure data center development aligns with state terms.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced a roughly one-year pause on approvals for new data center development on state-owned land or in state buildings. The decision, unveiled at a rally outside the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, will halt transactions like easements, leases, and property sales for data center projects until July 1, 2027, or until further legislative action.
The governor expressed support for demonstrators, a coalition of environmental, public health, farm, and social advocacy groups, who called for a three-year statewide moratorium on data centers. While Kotek backed the concept of a moratorium to ensure data center development meets state terms, she noted the state currently lacks the authority to enact a full statewide ban.
This move follows Kotek's intervention in March to stop a data center proposed on state-owned Department of Corrections land in Salem. Data centers have become a significant point of contention in Oregon, prompting legislative discussions on their tax exemptions, energy and water usage, and oversight. The governor's Data Center Advisory Committee, tasked with a cost-benefit analysis and recommendations, has also adjusted its reporting timeline.