September 9, 2026 3:30 a.m. 

On Tuesday, 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 1st, 2027, or until statewide action from the governor’s office or the legislature directs otherwise.

Governor Kotek said, “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.” 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.”

Governor Kotek said 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.

The release said 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.

Governor Kotek said while the state currently lacks authority to enact a statewide moratorium on data center development, this action reflects her commitment to taking steps within the state’s control immediately.