Wyden Wants To Stop The Transfer Of Federal Land For Data Centers

The Trump Administration is considering transferring 17,000 acres in Oregon, Idaho and four other states to build 12 data centers.  Democratic Oregon Senator Ron Wyden introduced a bill to stop it; Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul blocked Wyden's bill.

"Washington should preserve local flexibility rather than declare an entire category of land off limits," Paul noted.  "I object."

Wyden said there isn't time for local communities to decide.

"You can't wait to set something up the way that my colleague from Kentucky is talking about while Trump runs roughshod over America's public lands," Wyden said.

One of the pieces of federal land under consideration for transfer is near Hermiston, OR.  Wyden said the impact of data centers on water and the power grid will be detrimental for the area.

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