Data Centers & the Co-op Difference
Dear Members,
It’s hard to miss the national data center debate. A Gallup poll this year found that 7 in 10 Americans oppose building a data center for artificial intelligence in their local area. Resource and environmental concerns were the leading reasons for opposition, but concerns over higher electric bills were noted as well.
While not every electric co-op will see a data center attempt to locate in its community, Oregon electric cooperatives already serving data centers provide a valuable blueprint for how to navigate this complex issue without harming consumers.
In January, Gov. Tina Kotek commissioned a Data Center Advisory Committee to explore the range of issues around data centers. Oregon’s electric co-ops actively participated in the process.
In June, Umatilla Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Hermiston, briefed the committee about its experience insulating its residential and small-business co-op members from the financial impacts of serving data centers since 2012. The foundation of this success story has been local governance, solutions tailored to community needs, and data centers covering the full costs of the infrastructure and operations required to support their growth.
We look forward to the committee’s recommendations that will be forwarded to the governor this fall. Undoubtedly, policy proposals will emerge from these recommendations that will require serious negotiations. But as companies explore Oregon for data center sites, we will also stay true to the principles we believe are nonnegotiable: local control, recognizing that a one-size solution does not fit all, and most importantly, the continuation of safe and reliable power for our communities.
Best,
General Manager Billi Kohler