Oregon Governor Orders Pause on Data Center Pollution Permits Until Next July
Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to pause approvals of air and water pollution permits for new and expanded data centers until next July, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported Oct. 13.
According to the report, an advisory committee appointed by the governor issued a 20-page preliminary report in mid-September raising concerns about data centers' energy use, water consumption and emissions. The state is accepting public comment on the policy until 5 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Data centers have expanded rapidly in Oregon in recent years, and their demand for power and water has prompted debate among local communities and environmental groups. The state said the pause allows time for evaluation before final rules are adopted.
DEQ said routine oversight of already-permitted facilities will continue during the pause, and new applications will be handled under the rules in place when the pause ends.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 俄勒冈州议会大厦（塞勒姆），CC BY-SA 4.0，摄影：Jrozwado（Wikimedia Commons）
