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City HallWednesday, November 11

Salem City Council delays its vote on a rule that could block the Mill Creek data center

The Daily Salem teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 4 sources

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Salem City Council hit pause Monday night on a vote that could block ' Oakline at Mill Creek AI data center. After more than two hours of testimony on Nov. 9, councilors voted 7-0 to close the public hearing and keep the written record open. City Attorney Dan Atchison proposed the delay to give councilors time with a large amount of written testimony.

The council's data center decision is now set for Thursday

  1. Sept. 21Council adopts a separate 120-day moratorium on certain data center construction.
  2. Nov. 9Council postpones deliberations on after public testimony.
  3. Nov. 12Council will resume deliberations at a virtual special meeting at 6 p.m.

Sources: Salem Business Journal, Statesman Journal, Salem Reporter

At issue is , which would read "data center facilities" in city code as excluding AI and data centers. Atchison said none were in Salem or western Oregon when the term was added in 2013-2014. The resolution wouldn't decide Verrus' application for 4720 Mill Creek Drive SE, but later city decisions would have to follow it.

  • Next meeting: Thu., Nov. 12, 6 p.m., virtual special meeting
  • Oral hearing: closed. Written record: still open
  • City staff: expected to address testimony before a decision

Business and labor representatives raised concerns about jobs and permitting certainty, while residents questioned electricity demand and water use. Verrus CEO Nelson Abramson said in written testimony the company is offering to enter a Community Benefits Agreement that he said would set enforceable caps on water, noise and power.

The dollars and days behind the data center fight

$5 billion
in potential investment previously described for the project, or more
$10 million
in investment Verrus offers in a Community Benefits Agreement
120 days
length of the data center moratorium adopted Sept. 21

Sources: Salem Business Journal, Statesman Journal

Sources: Salem Business Journal, The Indianapolis Star, Statesman Journal, Salem Reporter

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