A recent flight over the Columbia River provided a direct look at one of the nation’s emerging data center concentrations. The view from above showed clusters of large facilities set against the backdrop of hydroelectric dams and transmission lines that supply their power needs. This perspective made clear why the region has drawn so much development and what that growth means for local resources. ([1])
Why the Columbia River Basin Attracts Data Centers
The Lower Columbia River basin in Oregon and Washington has become a focal point for data center construction. Nearly twenty years ago, Google opened the first such facility in The Dalles. Since then, the area has seen steady expansion driven by access to hydroelectric power, available land, and existing grid connections.
Columbia Riverkeeper estimates that more than one hundred data centers are now proposed, under construction, or already operating in the basin. These facilities are considerably larger than earlier generations, which increases their overall resource requirements. The aerial survey showed the physical extent of the buildings and the supporting energy infrastructure that surrounds them.
Energy Consumption and Utility Planning
Data centers already account for nearly five percent of total U.S. electricity use, with projections indicating that share could double by 2030. In the Columbia River region, existing and planned capacity could reach four gigawatts, enough to serve roughly 2.3 million households annually.
Utilities facing this demand often consider new generation sources, including fossil fuel plants. Such additions can raise costs for all ratepayers and increase emissions that affect nearby communities and ecosystems. Oregon addressed part of this issue last year with the Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility Act, which requires large users to contribute to new infrastructure costs and directs that new loads must align with clean energy and emissions goals.
Water Use and Transparency Gaps
Cooling systems in large data centers require substantial water withdrawals. In 2025, Amazon Web Services alone reported withdrawing more than 240 million gallons from Oregon sources. These volumes can influence groundwater levels, stream flows, and aquatic habitats, particularly in drought-affected areas where the landscape already shows signs of stress.
Public information on water use remains limited because companies are not required to report consumption in a standardized way. Several states, including New Jersey, California, and Texas, are considering new disclosure rules. In Oregon, Senator Wyden has requested data from major operators on steps taken to reduce water impacts.
Stakeholder Impacts and Next Steps
Continued expansion without additional safeguards could shift financial and environmental costs onto households, businesses, and wildlife. Communities near new facilities may face higher utility bills or changes in local water availability, while broader progress on emissions reductions could slow.
The National Wildlife Federation has called for stronger federal, state, and local standards covering the siting, construction, and operation of data centers. These measures would aim to protect wildlife habitat, maintain clean energy targets, and ensure that operators bear the full costs of their resource demands. Clear reporting requirements for both energy and water use would give regulators and the public better information for planning decisions.
