Wyden opposes public lands sale for data center’s water
By: Kelly Campbell, Policy Director
You spoke, and Senator Wyden listened! Senator Wyden declared his opposition to HR 655, a bill that would have given away public land in the Mount Hood National Forest. The alleged reason: for the City of The Dalles’ expanding demand. The real reason: The Dalles has already given gobs of water to Big Tech for Google’s massive data center complex, including more data centers under construction.
Senator Wyden announced his opposition to the bill in a Facebook post in which he stated “HR 655 is a fast track to selling off our public lands. Donald Trump is hellbent on selling off your public lands. HR 655 is a fast track to do it. Congress shouldn’t be in the business of helping him sell off Oregon’s Natural Treasures.”
We couldn’t agree more.
It was never a done deal that Senator Wyden would take this position. Given his key role on a committee that the bill would go through, his opposition does not bode well for the bill’s future.
Thanks to all of you who signed our petition, signed postcards, spoke up in town halls, attended rallies, and shared the message with your friends and family. Along with you and more than a dozen partner organizations, we collectively persuaded the senator to take a hard look, and finally to take a strong position in support of our public lands.
When we speak up together, we can and do make a difference.
Senator Merkley has yet to take a position on the bill. Sign our petition to Senator Merkley asking him to join Senator Wyden in opposing HR 655 and protecting our public lands.
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