Umatilla Declares Emergency Over Pause on Data Center Permits
The Umatilla City Council in eastern Oregon declared a state of emergency, citing potential losses of millions of dollars due to Governor Tina Kotek's order pausing new environmental permits for data center development until July 2027.
Bend, OR, October 21, 2026 —
The Umatilla City Council in eastern Oregon has declared a state of emergency, citing potential losses of millions of dollars tied to a pause on new environmental permits for data center development.
The pause was ordered by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and is set to last until July 2027, according to the information provided. The council’s declaration links the state action to possible financial losses, but no specific loss estimate or calculation was given.
Details about the declaration’s date, its terms, and the projects or businesses that could be affected were not provided. The available information also does not specify whether the declaration changes local rules or authorizes particular steps by the city.
The order concerns new environmental permits for data center development. The information provided does not describe the scope of the permit pause, whether existing permits are affected, or the state’s reasons for issuing the order. It also does not include a statement from the governor’s office or further explanation from city officials.
The council’s action signals concern over the potential economic consequences of the permitting pause in Umatilla. However, the size and timing of any losses remain unspecified, and no additional outcomes or next steps were provided.
Story summarized from the original created by none on bendbulletin.com, see more information here.
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