Kojak rebukes federal push to fast‑track data centers and urges local control, protection for water and utility rates

Governor Gina Kojak criticized federal advocacy for speeding approvals of data centers and said Oregon will insist on local control and accountability. Citing comments that data centers should be "fast tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency," Kojak said, "I say not in Oregon and not on my watch," framing the state's approach as protective of community interests.

Kojak said communities across Oregon have been ‘‘taken advantage of by data center corporations’’ and urged a moratorium on further development until projects meet local terms. She closed by emphasizing the need to "protect our water, our utility rate," and the state, positioning environmental and rate protections as central reasons for resisting expedited federal approvals.