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County moves to adopt moratorium and correction program for data centers amid resource concerns
Summary
Clackamas County commissioners voted unanimously to initiate a temporary moratorium on new data-center approvals and to direct staff to develop regulatory standards (a 'correction program') to address water, energy and other local impacts. The moratorium process requires a 45‑day state notice and an initial 120‑day period for staff work.
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners voted 4–0 on Aug. 11 to direct staff to initiate the process to adopt a moratorium on data centers and a concurrent correction program to develop new code standards.
Commissioner Helm moved the measure and described it as a way to pause new applications while staff and the board study local impacts and possible ordinance changes. "I move to direct staff to initiate the process to adopt a moratorium on data centers and a correction program," the commissioner said during the meeting.
Staff described multiple state-level developments affecting data-center siting, including an enterprise-zone pause and recent utility-rate changes that will affect large energy users. Dan Johnson, the county's director of transportation and development, warned that the county must weigh water resources, electricity demand and potential noise impacts from equipment cooling. He urged careful study before code amendments.
County counsel advised that a moratorium requires formal written findings and a 45‑day notice to the state Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) before a public hearing; the moratorium itself generally runs 120 days and can be extended. The board's motion also instructs staff to begin the research and stakeholder outreach needed to draft ordinance changes and a practical correction program.
Commissioners said they backed the motion to avoid rushed approvals, citing concerns about groundwater, local water-district capacity and the potential for large industrial users to strain infrastructure. Staff said they will return with details on scope, timeline and which long-range work program items must be delayed so resources can be reallocated to this effort.
