Oregon pauses data center permits until 2027

Fox 12 Oregon | by Fox 12 Staff

Created by Fox 12 Staff

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) — Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to pause processing and issuing air and water permits for new or expanded data centers until July 1, 2027.

Kotek issued the directive in an Oct. 9 letter to DEQ Director Leah Feldon, asking her to use existing administrative authority and discretion to implement the pause.

The pause applies to National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, Water Pollution Control Facility, Air Contaminant Discharge and Title V air quality permits tied to construction or operation of new data center facilities. It also includes applications from municipalities seeking to renew or modify wastewater treatment plant permits to accommodate wastewater discharge from data centers.

Kotek said the time-limited pause will allow her to review recommendations from the Data Center Advisory Committee she established, and “provide space for policy and/or regulatory reforms that may be considered in the upcoming 2027 session of the Legislature with my support.”