New Pro-Data Center TV, Social Media Ads Popping Up in Oregon

In March, the Oregon legislature passed a moratorium on a widely-used tax incentive that helps data centers.  Now, pro-center ads have begun running in Oregon.

   New TV, Social Media Ads are On the Airwaves

Oregon Connects is an arm of a group called the Data Center Coalition, whose members include Microsoft, Google, Meta, and several other tech giants.

Oregon Connects is running the ads that promote the economic growth in communities where data centers are located, good paying jobs and clean energy.

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The ads are designed to push back against the growing opposition to the centers.  Opponents question the massive energy demands and effects on the environment.  They also claim the sometimes massive tax breaks used to entice centers to a community don't produce the type of economic growth that is claimed.

One of the biggest Oregon incentives is the Standard Enterprise Zone program.  Data centers in Oregon, even with the pause on some of the tax breaks, will still save $85 million in property taxes.

   Meanwhile, Oregon Connects is Pushing Back

According to the Oregon Connects website: (referring to data centers)

"...They fuel innovation across every sector of our economy while delivering meaningful benefits to the communities they call home."

Some opponents question the massive energy needs of the centers, others the impact they have on the environment.  According to a report from AgNews, 67 percent of future data centers are slated for rural areas, including potentially purchased farmland.  Current figures claim 85 percent of such centers are in or very close to urban areas.

Some Oregon leaders say the data center power needs are so great the state needs to create a 'new' utility category to separate the centers from other business, industrial and manufacturing entities.