Oregon Governor Tina Kotek Halts State Land Use for New Data Centers Amid Industry Scrutiny
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced a pause on the use of state-owned land for new data centers until July 1, 2027. This directive, shared via X with an AI-generated image, aims to prevent data centers from imposing undue costs on Oregon residents while the state conducts a comprehensive study of the industry's impacts. As part of this action, Governor Kotek also terminated a pending sale of 32 acres of state property intended for a proposed $5 billion data-center development. The Governor acknowledged that her executive authority does not extend to a broader statewide moratorium on data-center construction, but her action targets transactions involving public land controlled by the state. This move positions Oregon as part of a growing national trend where state and local governments are seeking to slow, restrict, or attach new conditions to data-center construction, driven by concerns over their environmental and economic footprint.
