Oregon Gov. Kotek Pauses State Land Requests for Data Centers
Kotek said a pause would let Oregon assess water, power and community impacts as data center proposals surge with generative artificial intelligence demand.
- On Tuesday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek ordered state agencies to pause unapproved land transactions and permits for data center projects on state-owned property through July 1, 2027.
- Roughly 100 demonstrators rallied at the Oregon State Capitol on Tuesday demanding a three-year pause, citing concerns that data centers strain water supplies and electricity grids.
- Republican Christine Drazan, running for governor, criticized the action as insufficient, stating, "This is a lack of leadership," and argued Kotek possesses broader authority for a statewide moratorium.
- Lawmakers await a preliminary report from the Data Center Advisory Committee this week to guide future policies, as the state debates tax incentives totaling at least $450 million.
- Facing an estimated 144 data centers, Oregon officials are preparing regulations before the 2027 legislative session to address transparency gaps regarding water and energy consumption.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Oregon governor pauses data centers on state land • Washington State Standard
Roughly 100 people showed up outside the Oregon State Capitol on Tuesday to call for a three-year pause on new data center development in the state. Among them was Gov. Tina Kotek, who expressed support for the demonstrators — a coalition of environmental, public health, farm and social advocacy groups — but who stopped short […]
GOVERNOR PAUSES WORK ON REQUESTS FOR STATE LAND TO SUPPORT NEW DATA CENTERS
September 9, 2026 3:30 a.m. On Tuesday, Governor Tina Kotek directed every state agency to immediately pause unapproved requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, rentals, land-use permits, and sales or transfers of state-owned property for data center projects. The pause remains in effect through July 1st, 2027, or until statewide action from the governor’s office or...
Kotek, Drazan each call for Oregon data center moratorium
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican opponent, Sen. Christine Drazan, both called for statewide moratoriums on data centers Tuesday, converging on the same position within hours of each other after years of more cautious stances on the hot-button issue.
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