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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HILLSBORO, Ore.- A coalition of Washington County residents has launched a petition calling for a temporary moratorium on new data center development, urging local leaders to pause approvals until the long-term impacts on farmland, waterways, energy infrastructure, and public resources are fully evaluated.
The petition is being championed by Hillsboro City Councilor and County Commissioner candidate Kipperlyn Sinclair, with support from State Senate candidate Myrna Muñoz and House District 27 candidate Dr. Tammy Carpenter.
Supporters say the effort is not about stopping innovation, but about ensuring growth that aligns with community needs and delivers clear public benefit. “A moratorium is not a ban; it’s a pause for accountability,” said Sinclair. “If we’re going to keep approving data centers, the public deserves clear answers about energy demand, land use, environmental impact, tax fairness, and real local benefit before more farmland is lost.”
The petition comes amid growing concern across Oregon about the rapid expansion of data centers and their strain on regional infrastructure. State lawmakers have already signaled caution by moving to pause certain tax incentives tied to new data center development. Dr. Tammy Carpenter, candidate for House District 27, pointed to the imbalance between public subsidies and community return. “Residents are being asked to give up land, resources, and tax dollars without seeing meaningful benefit,” Carpenter said. “We need a halt on expansion until there is a more equitable and transparent plan for families and workers in Washington County.” Myrna Muñoz, a Washington County-based State Senate candidate, framed the issue as one of responsible governance and long-term planning. “We owe the community answers before we owe corporations approvals,” Muñoz said. “A pause gives us time to evaluate the true impacts and ensure decisions are made with the public at the table — not after the fact.”
Advocates note that temporary moratoria are a standard planning tool used when development outpaces policy. They argue that data centers represent a similar inflection point for Washington County.
“This is not anti-technology, it’s pro-community,” Sinclair said. “Growth without guardrails is not leadership. If these projects are truly beneficial, they should be able to demonstrate that clearly before more land and resources are committed.”
The petition calls for a temporary pause on new data center approvals while local leaders conduct a comprehensive review of impacts on energy capacity, land use, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic return.
Organizers say the goal is simple: ensure Washington County residents have a voice in decisions that will shape the region for decades.
Full petition: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/data-center-moratorium-petition
See 4/8 article here: In Hillsboro, petition seeks pause on new data centers amid energy and farmland concerns
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