Governor Kotek Pauses Work on Requests for State Land to Support New Data Centers

Salem, OR - Today, 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 1, 2027, or until statewide action from the Governor's Office or the Legislature directs otherwise.

"Data center corporations are asking communities to absorb enormous demands on our water, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, and we need to know what that means for Oregonians," Governor Kotek said. "I am taking this action because the state should not be moving forward with new data center projects on public land while we are still working to understand and address those impacts. Oregonians deserve a statewide approach that protects our communities, respects our natural resources, and makes sure state government is acting in the public interest."

This pause is essential to ensure a coordinated statewide evaluation of the long-term impacts associated with large-scale data center development, including infrastructure capacity, environmental sustainability, water usage, job creation, and the effects on surrounding communities.

This new directive to state agencies builds upon the Governor's decision to stop the planned sale of state land for approximately 32 acres at the Mill Creek Corporate Center in Salem for a proposed data center project. That decision reflected a commitment to ensuring that state actions uphold Oregon's values and serve the public interest.

While the state currently lacks authority to enact a statewide moratorium on data center development, this action reflects the Governor's commitment to taking steps within the state's control immediately.

Governor Kotek signed the Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (POWER) Act in 2025 to create accountability for data center electricity use, and the new law has already resulted in a 29% increase in electricity rates on data center corporations and rate decreases for all other ratepayers served by Portland General Electric.

In January, Governor Kotek convened the Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee to develop policy recommendations to address growth in data centers and keep utility costs, infrastructure upgrades, and environmental impacts sustainable for all Oregonians, particularly low-income and working households and ratepayers. The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee will provide their final recommendations to the Governor by the end of the year to inform legislation she will be introducing for the 2027 legislative session.