Columbia Riverkeeper releases data center impacts report for Columbia River Basin

Columbia Riverkeeper released a report on data center impacts along the Columbia River. The report aggregates data from 12 counties in Oregon and Washington where data centers are operational or planned. It includes recommendations to address harms from data center energy and water use. The report provides a county by county snapshot as of February 2026. Kelly Campbell, Policy Director, said answers about energy and water use should be readily available but are not. She stated that data centers have wide ranging impacts on water, salmon recovery, energy affordability, the climate and much more. The report calls on elected officials and regulators to enact laws requiring transparency about energy and water use at data centers. It recommends protecting limited water resources through laws that account for water availability and impacts to other water users. The report also urges ensuring data centers cannot undermine state clean energy goals, removing data center costs from residential utility bills and avoiding general state permitting that sidesteps Tribal government and community engagement. The full report is available for download.