Oregon Governor pauses data center development on state land

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced an immediate pause on all approvals for data center development on state-owned land or in state buildings. The order halts unapproved requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, rentals, land-use permits, and the sale or transfer of state property for data center projects. This pause is scheduled to remain in effect until July 1, 2027, or until further direction is provided by the Governor’s Office or the state legislature.

The announcement follows a rally at the Oregon State Capitol where hundreds of demonstrators, including environmental, public health, and agricultural advocacy groups, called for a broader three-year moratorium on all new large-scale data center development. While Governor Kotek expressed support for a moratorium to ensure development occurs on the state’s terms, she noted that the state currently lacks the authority to enact a total statewide moratorium on private land development.

Protesters and organizers, including members of the Data Center Defiance Coalition and Food & Water Watch Oregon, raised concerns regarding the impact of generative AI-driven data centers on water resources, utility costs, and community safety.