Clackamas County won't be taking data center applications for a while.
County commissioners approved a 120-day moratorium on data center development Thursday after back-to-back days of public testimony, KGW reported. The pause can be extended six months with another hearing.
What the moratorium does
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to put a temporary moratorium on data center development in unincorporated Clackamas County, according to a county news release. It takes effect immediately and stays in place for 120 days unless it's extended or repealed earlier.
The goal is to give county staff time to study data center development and consider what regulations make sense, the county said.
County officials told KGW the county doesn't currently have any operating or pending data centers in its jurisdiction. There is one in Wilsonville, but that falls under the city's authority.
What commissioners want studied
During their discussion, commissioners listed several issues they want the county to weigh, including water availability, utility costs, natural resources, infrastructure, land use and economic opportunities, according to the release.
"This is the start of the conversation of what regulations need to be put in place. Is it a total ban on data centers? What does it look like? That's what the moratorium is all about," Commissioner Diana Helm said.
Chair Craig Roberts called it "really the beginning of a long process," adding, "This will allow a thorough review, and there will be a lot more opportunities for public input."
Commissioner Paul Savas pointed to the county's farms and nurseries. "My concern has been with utility costs and water … Clackamas County has a reasonable footprint in farming and nurseries which are dependent on water," he said.
Commissioner Martha Schrader said policy is struggling to keep up. "The technology is advancing so quickly that we are not keeping up with any kind of policy sidebars," she said.
Commissioner Ben West called for balance. "I hope we find that balance to allow good economic opportunities and infrastructure to be available to the residents of Clackamas County without sacrificing natural resources," he said.
What residents said
Much of the testimony supported the moratorium, KGW reported.
"These facilities can use enormous amounts of electricity and water. They can put a lot of pressure on our infrastructure and those impacts extend beyond the properties in which they are built," said Stephanie Hill.
Not everyone agreed. Resident Brian Goodrow said the moratorium "paints too broad a brush" and could hamper economic growth. "The rest of the potential business coming into Clackamas County should not be turned away," he said.
Others wanted the county to go further. "I'm really concerned that we are offering short-term solutions based on feedback that you've received, not a long-term solution that keeps residents safe and healthy," said Mitch Doig.
What's next
The county will keep working on possible regulations, with more chances for public participation as the process moves forward.
Why it matters for contractors
Since Clackamas County has no data centers operating or pending in its jurisdiction, the moratorium won't stop any job that's currently underway. What it does is set the terms for whatever comes next.
Data centers are among the largest construction projects a community can land, with major work for site, concrete, steel, electrical and mechanical contractors. Over the next 120 days and possibly longer, Clackamas County will decide whether to allow them at all, and if so, under what conditions. Rules on water use, power, location and infrastructure would directly affect how expensive and complicated these projects are to build.
Contractors and trade groups who want a voice in those rules should take part in the public process now, while the county is still asking questions. Commissioners said they want to balance economic opportunity with protecting water and natural resources, and builders can help show what responsible projects look like.
The vote also comes as anti-data center sentiment and concerns about artificial intelligence grow nationwide, as KGW noted, so contractors who chase these projects should expect more local debates like this one.