data centers

Democrat Val Hoyle is in a rematch with Republican retired Air Force Colonel Monique DeSpain, in the race to represent Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. This time around, however, candidates are facing voters' worries about artificial intelligence.

A new ECOnorthwest report quantifies Oregon’s 111 data centers, finding they use 23% of the state's power while revealing major gaps in water and economic data.

The City of Eugene has banned city employees from signing non-disclosure agreements about data centers. Eugene City Manager Jenny Haruyama signed the administrative order on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Dozens of Eugene residents packed City Hall Monday night to voice opposition to data center development and call on the City Council to impose a moratorium.

The City of Eugene says data centers are not an allowed use at the location of the former Hyundai/Hynix site in West Eugene. That comes after inquiries from an unknown contractor seeking to redevelop the property.

The Oregon governor is escalating her stance on the facilities as they emerge as a political hot potato.

Growing public backlash over data centers is becoming an issue for voters of both parties in the Oregon governor’s race.

Most voters support a temporary ban on the facilities and strongly oppose offering tax breaks.

With the power-hungry facilities already facing higher utility rates, Gov. Tina Kotek suggested more changes are coming.

On this edition, we talk with Alex Baumhardt of the Oregon Capitol Chronicle about her reporting on the explosion of data centers in Oregon and how the promise of jobs and economic vibrancy is often underwhelming, while negative environmental impacts are often under-estimated. Then we talk with our own Julia Boboc about a national won she garnered for her reporting.

At a packed meeting on Wednesday evening, La Pine residents spoke for hours against the proposed data center before city councilors voted to shut the project down.

The company notified Oregon that layoffs are due to the end of a contract.