Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Umatilla declares emergency over threatened data center revenue
Umatilla, an Oregon city, has declared an emergency over the possible loss of money expected from data center developments.
Oregon has suspended new pollution permits for data centers until July 2027, restricting development while officials assess the effects.
The city says about $6 million in expected revenue is at risk, though it has not received or spent that money.
The funding had been included in plans for public works, including a new police station and water system upgrades.
The declaration is not a response to a current budget crisis; the city says its services and financial obligations are unaffected.
Umatilla also warns that the restrictions could put more than $5 billion in prospective investment and at least 1,000 construction jobs at risk.
City officials will assess the potential losses and are asking Governor Tina Kotek to reconsider the restrictions; the council must review its emergency declaration within 90 days.
Umatilla, Oregon, declared an emergency over about $6 million in expected revenue threatened by state restrictions on new data centers.
The city says the restrictions could also put more than $5 billion in prospective private investment and at least 1,000 construction jobs at risk.
The expected revenue has not been received, and the city says its current services and financial obligations are unaffected.
Umatilla officials say delayed revenue could force changes to plans for a police station and water infrastructure upgrades.
The declaration calls for an economic assessment and asks Governor Tina Kotek to reconsider the restrictions.
- Who
- The city of Umatilla, Oregon, and its officials. The restrictions were directed by Governor Tina Kotek.
- What
- Umatilla declared an emergency over expected data center revenue threatened by state permitting restrictions.
- When
- The city council approved the declaration; the date is not stated. The state restrictions were announced in October.
- Where
- Umatilla, Oregon.
- Why
- The city says the restrictions could threaten about $6 million in expected revenue, as well as investment, jobs and infrastructure plans.
Umatilla city officials
Oregon state authorities
Permitting restrictions
Umatilla city officials
The restrictions could threaten expected municipal revenue, investment, jobs and infrastructure plans.
Oregon state authorities
The governor ordered environmental authorities to suspend new pollution permits for data centers while their potential consequences are examined.
Response
Umatilla city officials
Umatilla declared an emergency and asked the governor to reconsider the restrictions.
Oregon state authorities
The source does not state the state authorities’ response to Umatilla’s declaration.
Hillsboro imposed a 120-day suspension on new data center developments.
Oregon prevented the sale of 32 acres at Salem's Mill Creek Corporate Center for a Verrus development.
Governor Tina Kotek instructed environmental authorities to suspend new pollution permits for data centers until July 2027.
Umatilla's council approved an emergency resolution requiring reconsideration within 90 days.
- Expected municipal revenue
- About $6 million
- Prospective private investment
- More than $5 billion
- Construction jobs at risk
- At least 1,000
- Umatilla data centers
- Four operational; one under construction; two awaiting completion
- Permit suspension
- Until July 2027
1 source
What people are saying
These consequences extend far beyond the interests of individual businesses. They threaten the broader economic and financial well-being of the Umatilla community.
I believe the Governor's directive creates precisely the type of human-created circumstance involving threatened widespread financial loss that Oregon law expressly recognizes as a potential emergency.