This session has been canceled!

The Oregon Governor’s Data Center Advisory Committee (DCAC) has canceled its upcoming listening session for public input. The session was scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 4 – 7 p.m. before being removed from the committee’s webpage.

It’s disappointing that the committee has canceled this important opportunity for public participation, especially since the previous listening session was fraught with technical issues which prevented many from participating. This now-canceled session was added to address that problem. 

In addition, the DCAC webpage states that it held over nine hours of general public listening sessions in addition to verbal comments from the public at each of their meetings. By our count, the DCAC only held two sessions of three hours each, with the second three hour session full of technical difficulties. 

On September 10, the DCAC released a Preliminary Learnings and Questions Document and opened a written public comment period that will be open until 5 p.m. on October 24.  

Columbia Riverkeeper staff are reviewing the committee’s document and will share our assessment and suggested talking points for comments in the coming weeks. For now, enjoy your extra three hours of time on Wednesday, September 23. 

Original post:

Now is your chance to speak up about the massive increase in data centers in Oregon.

By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer

Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.

​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.

The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee is holding monthly meetings as well as public listening sessions, and they need to hear from you! This is an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns and questions directly to the Committee during the public comment period.

Public Listening Session 3
September 23, 2026

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join the Zoom meeting here. Advance registration is not required.

The Data Center Advisory Committee will taking comments on its preliminary findings report. Attendees will have 3 minutes to share their perspectives on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.