Oregon Govenor Tina Kotek asks state environmental regulator to pause permits, introducing de facto data center moratorium

Data Center Dynamics | by Dan Swinhoe

Image of a residential area near data center PDX 90. Photo Credit: ORA.

Oregon’s Governor, Tina Kotek, has ordered the state’s environmental regulators to temporarily stop issuing pollution permits to data centers, effectively pausing data center development in the Beaver State.

Governor Kotek has directed Oregon Department of Environmental Quality director Leah Feldon to pause all air and water pollution permits for new or expanding data centers until July 2027. As well as air quality permits, the requested pause includes applications from municipalities seeking to renew or modify wastewater treatment plant permits to accommodate wastewater discharge from data centers.

“I am asking you to exercise your existing administrative authority and discretion to pause processing and issuance of air or water discharge permit applications until July 1, 2027, that involve new or expanded data center facilities within Oregon,” Kotek said. “This time-limited pause will provide an opportunity for me to evaluate and digest recommendations forthcoming from the [Data Center] Advisory Committee, and to provide space for policy and/or regulatory reforms that may be considered in the upcoming 2027 session of the Legislature with my support.”

Kotek and the department are yet to comment publicly on the requested pause. DCD has reached out to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for comment.

Non-profit Food and Water Watch called the move a “massive victory” that would “give communities breathing room from more data center development.”