Data Centers in Oregon: Electricity Demand, Climate Impact, and Air & Noise Polution

About the event

Still time to Register!

Join Us June 24th at 6 pm for Part 3 of our highly informative series:

MCAT, in collaboration with a growing coalition of Oregon organizations, is co-hosting a series of webinars on data centers, the impacts, and the policy options. Part 3 of the series will discuss the massive impacts on electrical demand, air and noise pollution, and potential climate policy strategies.

Presenter Lineup:

Pat DeLaquil, PhD and Cole Souder, JD are experts working in Oregon to address data centers’ skyrocketing electricity demand and its impact on the environment, climate and costs. They will cover the 2025 POWER Act and its protections for ratepayers and present policies to help put us back on track for addressing climate goals.

Mackenzie Springer, JD will address the issues of air and noise pollution, especially on vulnerable populations.

Catherine Thomasson, MD will preview potential policy solutions and next steps we can take to make a difference.

Miss Part 1 or 2… Need to catch up?

They’re all queued up for you:

Part 1. Data Centers in Oregon: Water, Wetlands, and the Path Forward

Data centers use incredible amounts of water, outpacing municipal resources. That usage will only grow as the size of future data centers expands dramatically.

When evaluating eastern Oregon data centers and those in Washington County, there is little transparency from both companies and local government about water & electricity use, usage projections and many other facets of data center activities.

Featured Speakers:

Kaleb Lay (Oregon Rural Action), Ben Gordon (Central Oregon LandWatch), Kelsey Shaw Nakama (Tualatin Riverkeepers) Catherine Thomasson (MCAT)

Here’s the slides and the Recording  from Part 1: Passcode: jzi*RbT7

Part 2. Data Centers in Oregon: Land Use and Economic Impacts

MCAT, along with Central Oregon LandWatch, Oregon PSR, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Oregon Democrats-Environmental Caucus, Oregon Rural Action, Tax Fairness Oregon, and Tualatin Riverkeepers evaluate land use impacts and the economics of data centers in Oregon.

Are we getting an economic boost from our tax exemptions for data centers? How much money are we foregoing for job creation? How many jobs do these projects create? These are a few of the questions answered.

Featured speakers:

Ben Gordon (Central Oregon LandWatch), Nellie McAdams (Oregon Agricultural Trust), Jody Wiser (Tax Fairness Oregon), and more.

Here’s the slides and the Recording  from Part 2: Passcode m8H*TTXF

These fantastic links will help you electrify & save you money:

• ElectrifyPDX Great info on all things electric
• Rewiring America has an IRA savings calculator for you: HERE
• Electrify Now Tips, trusted contractors, informative webinars
• Energy Star Six Step Home Upgrade
• Electrifyoregon.org Comprehensive electrification website

 

MCAT is a community of experienced volunteers, sponsored by OLCV, who help steward significant greenhouse gas reduction policy into law in Oregon.

MCAT participates with the broad and inclusive climate and equity coalitions in Oregon and partners with OCN and others on coordinated action, particularly in regard to state legislation and policy.  MCAT also actively organizes to elect and support legislators who will work for strong climate legislation.

MCAT Steering Committee (left to right): Brett Baylor, Rand Schenck, John Perona, Joe Stenger, Debby Garman, Daniel Frye, Pat DeLaquil, Rich Peppers, Catherine Thomasson. Not shown: Josie Koehne, Janice Thompson.

Wanna be an MCAT? Go HERE