There is almost no way for an in-depth researcher and land man like me to keep up with the growth in Hillsboro, Oregon. There is little to no way anyone else can either. But on the ground, people are noticing the small black silt fences going up along NW Evergreen Road and NW Jackson School Road. Others have mentioned on social media that the old Vanderzanden Windmill and tulip farm are gone. With no master plans offered by the City of Hillsboro, unpublished utility designs, few if any public hearings, and a disjointed set of annexations and zone changes, the future is about to happen on another vast area of historic farms that have hugged the people of Hillsboro for generations. A future that will end 180 years of farming that has gone on since William Baldra filed his Donation Land Claim and broke the land, with the help of his buddy and founder of Washington County, Colonel Joseph LaFayette Meek.
The Past Featured The Baldra Family – contributed by historian Ginny Meek
Stepping back, the Baldra family was also involved with the York Factory and the Red River Settlers from Canada.
William and Maria Baldra with their two young sons came from Norway House in Canada starting in June, reaching Fort Vancouver in October, 1839. William and Maria traveled 2250 miles in 90 days, on the York Factory Express. [Hudson’s Bay Company York boats were used.] They traveled about 26 miles per day.
After that arduous journey, the Baldras were employed as farm workers for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver’s dairy farm on Multnomah (Wapato) Island.[Later Sauvie Island] Here Maria gave birth to a baby girl, Mary Jane Baldra, on August 1, 1840. An Indian woman was there to help Maria during the birth. Mary Jane Baldra is said to have been the first white baby girl born in Oregon. In her later years she was presented with an inscribed silver goblet by the pioneer society.
The Baldras moved in 1842 to the Tualatin Plains taking land near Joe Meek and his Nez Perce wife, Virginia, and their Family. (640 Acre Land Claim).
Daughter, Mary Jane Baldra attended the Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove in 1854. Where she would make drawings of people in her classroom.
In her later years she recalled her marriage to Richard Wiley-
“Sometimes an old man of forty or fifty would marry a girl of twelve or fourteen, so that he could take up a 640-acre claim. A man named Richard Wiley found a fine claim [160 acres of Joe Meek’s claim] in Washington County and, having found the claim, looked around for a wife. He found me, and we were married, July 29, 1855. I was older than some of the girls who got married, however, for I was fifteen.” Mary Jane recalled.
When Mary Jane Baldra married Richard E. Wiley, he was 32. Wiley was the first newspaper man in the NW Territory, a multiple term Sheriff in Wahington County, a businessman, and a famous bar owner of the now infamous Wiley’s Place in Hillsboro. A bar that defined the Sin Cty era of Hillsboro’s past. Lukc for him his Father inlaw, Mr Baldra, was known for his potent Moonshine that he made on the Baldra Farm.
Photo: William Baldra and Maria Baldra from Ancestry.com
Mary Jane Baldra – the first caucasian girl born in the NW Territory
Here is the Donation Land Claim map for the William Baldra Donation Land Claim as it was filed.
In 1865, the United States surveyed the west, and here, overlayed on a street map, the original location of the Baldra farmhouse can be seen. It was a glorious farm that provided a great bounty and fertile ground for the Baldra family to grow.
Here is a photo of Mary Jane Baldra as a young woman after marrying Richard Wiley.
For many decades, the Baldra farm has been home to the Vanderzanden Family, and many know them or branches of their families. In 2014, the State of Oregon and the City of Hillsboro demanded that more Industrial land be brought into the Urban Growth Boundary here in Hillsboro. The need, they argued, was because a secretive employer was about to locate in Hillsboro, and hundreds of acres were needed for their use, or they would not come. The secret project known only to a few high-ranking government officials was nicknamed Project Azalea. So, despite opposition from land use groups, the biggest one-time land annexation in the history of Oregon was done.The Grand Bargain, they called it- over 1,100 acres of land for “High Paying Jobs”. Despite the convincing, urgent need for this land to be included in the UGB, Project Azalaea, whoever they were, never showed up. Not then, and not now.
Vanderzanden Farms’ iconic windmill and flour farm are now closed forever. The windmill has been removed to make way for development.
The Vanderzandens / VanRose ownership group appears to have sold all or most of the land. The windmill has been torn down, and now the machines are rolling and smashing homes and buildings. The future has started. The farmland has changed hands, and in the last transfer, almost $166,000,000 changed hands in one transaction.
So, What Is The Future Of The Land
Ladies and gentlemen, after a great deal of effort, I finally got the plans for what is happening now and what is to come. And if you were hoping for another tech firm and those much-talked-about ‘High-paying jobs’, you will be disappointed. What is coming? Let’s have a look.
If you follow this link on the net, you will see leasing offerings for a massive 300,000 SF warehouse with loading docks. It looks like an Amazon Distribution center or something similar. On that brochure online, you will see sales markers for the parcels spoken for. It looks like this.
North Hillsboro Development Happening In 2024 – Note the new Huffman Expressway that will connect Brookwood and Jackson School Roads through North Hillsboro.
Taking things a bit further, I obtained the grading permit for this project from CWS of all agencies. That tells an even more detailed and somewhat shocking story.
North Hillsboro Development Happening In 2024
Let’s look a little closer. 4 Massive Data Center Buildings on the right-hand side. Each of them appears to be 10-15 acres under roof. These four would be perhaps the most extensive set of Data Centers we have seen to date in Hillsboro, and will push our community over 20 built facilities and #3 in the Nation in total Data Center Megawatts. Sadly, when construction stops, not very many jobs are left. And each building will get a 5-Year Enterprise zone package and will pay no property taxes for 5 years. No jobs, no revenues, and questionable environmental impacts with few if any benefits for Hillsboro and its citizens. Not to mention the loss of farm land.
The City of Hillsboro has a decades-long history of providing growing companies with land, infrastructure, workforce, and economic incentives. These tools are designed to attract and retain some of Oregon’s most significant employers and their clients, suppliers, and customers. In addition, HCP is located within the Hillsboro Enterprise Zone Program, which offers substantial tax abatement for eligible businesses with a relatively low bar for participation.
Power, water, and data infrastructure within the North Hillsboro Industrial Area provides a unique combination unmatched within the Portland area and beyond.
The historically strong workforce already established in the area is growing with the help of significant new residential projects on the south end of Hillsboro and a growing amenity within the city’s core area.
In Oregon, corporate business tax accounts for less than 3.5 percent of the gross state product, compared with 4.7 percent for California and 4.9 percent for Texas.
Businesses will find that Oregon has designed their tax codes to attract and retain companies. As a result, Oregon’s state tax structures rank in the top fifth of the nation for having a business-friendly tax structure.
The buildings in a cluster along Jackson School Road and South of the new Huffman Blvd. expressway, a three —to five-lane fast-moving road, are labeled as a manufacturing hub. I see several buildings, 2,000 parking spaces, and almost 500,000 SF. The brochure online indicates the land is sold, and perhaps the building has been spoken for. This may be a tech firm, a semiconductor parts manufacturer, or something else. Will these be the high-paying jobs?
Manufacturing Buildings approved along NW Jackson School Road in Hillsboro, Oregon
Opinions and Statements of Research based on facts
We started in the past, and now we look at the future. Farming is disappearing quickly in this valley. Now is the time for reflection and for many of us to ask ourselves, “Is this better? ” These Data Centers will drive AI. Many of you, a good percentage, will lose or have to change your careers because of AI in the next few years. Yet here we are—in Hillsboro, Oregon—building that very scary future at breakneck speed.
Logistics Centers this far West of I-5? Please. Hillsboro aspires to care about the climate, but none of this does anything about that. The Vanderzanden Reservoir has only been seen by a few, but let me tell you all, it is spectacular. The wildlife there will not benefit from this. I believe that we have sold out and that Wall Street is reaping all the benefits. These are not local companies. I can not blame the Vanderzandens for selling. I would have too. But this is not leadership really- this just looks like hubris and greed to me.
North Hillsboro Development Happening In 2024
Many of you asked. You wanted to know and deserved to know. So now you do. I hope you begin to appreciate the Hillsboro and County we have before it is all gone.
North Hillsboro Development Happening In 2024- a futuristic view of what sort of impact this could have- exaggerated by AI – but it droves the point home.
“Go back to the history of the Grand Bargain before 2014: Part of the “bargain” portion of it was a portion of the VanderZanden family that still wanted to farm sacrificing the tulip farm and its land east of Jackson School to preserve everything to the west.
What you just laid out is what we all knew was possible for the last 11 years and what we knew was coming for at least the last year. When Rancho El Nogal held its last jaripeo on Evergreen a few years back—long before the little houses on Jackson School started clearing out—that was the end of it. What remains baffling about all of it is just how willing the city was to put industrial development right across from residential from 25th and west.
The logistics there will likely have to be small vehicles like Amazon to navigate the circle at Meek and Jackson with any frequency, but I’m glad the neighborhood finally gets to see what’s coming. As I mentioned before, a bunch of the land west of Jackson is about to go over to blueberries and make an interesting claim to become a portion of the irrigation district. Should that happen—and should the proliferation of some of my multimillion-dollar neighbors on the fringes continue thanks to the defeat of the anti-farm mansion/B&B bill—I think we’re about to see an interesting and very stark hardening of the UGB that I hadn’t envisioned.
Typical stupidity… probably a californian developer. This is not welcome or wanted. Will corporate entities be happy when all land is covered with ugly buildings designed by greed?
They built the newest masses of housing south of Hillsboro, but most of the newest workplaces whose jobs could support those housing prices north of Hillsboro, leaving many new people to cross the city vertically without freeways or trains. Seems like the wrong way to plan.
You are 110% right. And many of us complained about this. Hillsboro is closing in on a traffic hell of epic proportions. Money drove all of this. Houses should have been to the North. But you see, that would require putting people first. The power structure we have in this County and City have never put our people first!
The argument I’d always heard was that you wanted industrial development near 26 for access to the road. But the industrial development that unfolded—with the exception of the Amazon distribution centers—didn’t really require that proximity. It was more about proximity to the data landing cables and utility infrastructure. Why that didn’t mean more centers near Aloclek… well, maybe that’s a question for Intel or Oracle.
But putting the glut of housing not only south of the industry, but south of TVH was something no reasonable urban planner would’ve devised. Your main east-west spur is an orphan highway dotted with scattershot retail. Your primary north-south corridors at 185th, Cornelius Pass, and Brookwood are ill-suited for that form of commute, and the public transit in that area is negligible to the point of negligence.
The one thing I’ll give my neighbors in the North Hillsboro Alliance is that when they initially wanted to sell out, it was to connect the Jackson School neighborhoods to another walkable, amenity-laden neighborhood to the north. Hillsboro even built it out that way: Improving sidewalks and signals along Glencoe and turning Jackson School into a pedestrian and bicycle superhighway downtown. That plan, regardless of its origins, at least made sense from a planning perspective.
South Hillsboro is still very much a work in progress, and even Reed’s Crossing is turning over so rapidly that I’m unsure how it’s going to shake out. But there’s nothing short of a complete overhaul of Intel Aloha that’s going to make that location sensible from a logistical perspective. Kids used to learn this playing Sim City, but now with Minecraft: You don’t just build on a plot of land because it’s flat and there… you build for a purpose. Otherwise, good luck undoing your mistake.
A very unintelligent comment. That is not even a good comparison. This is just greed and hubris. The first Nation people were killed by disease, force, criminal acts, and those that survived were forcibly removed from their lands and homes. Not even closely comparable.
This sounds like the reason PGE wants to punch a wider hole through Forest Park! Why is PGE being so sneaky about this? Again, greed. Shareholders should be embarrassed about what they are doing to air quality and the destruction of the city of Portland as we know it. Think wind changes, cloud formation and rain as the consequence of their actions to make a buck. I was born and raised here, and I can’t wait for my house to sell and move out of this state. I’m 74, and it’s a heartbreak.
Well, the answer is yes. This project among others is the reason the BPA and PGE are punching a massive hole through Forest Park. Very sad… all based in greed and just for cheap power.
Solar farms – I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. For every Data Center going up, a solar farm/wind farm comes with it. To only power the AI data centers. Then your local utilities- will raise up residents utility bills both Electric and water. The energy the solar farms will generate- brings zero benefits to the people who call this home. And it surely doesn’t help lower our cost of anything. Skyrockets everything. These data centers- are killing our planet. And everything we know
Thank you Dirk for keeping history alive and the updates on the destruction of it. I have lived in Washington County going on fifty three years, my grandparents built a home in Forest Grove right after World War Two and my dad went to Forest Grove High School. My parents moved out or Washington County just over twenty years ago it was not a area they wanted to spend their retirement. My brother and I went to West Union Grade School then on the Evergreen and Glencoe. I love seeing the farms and the people working the land this area has a special place in my heart with all the history. Now wish this destruction it really is depressing and I have struggled with depression all my life, going for a drive in the country and seeing all the fields was a huge morale buster now most of the farms and fields are gone. I wish I could move out of this area to Eastern Oregon or Idaho because I can’t stand seeing my home of almost fifty three years destroyed.
Thank you Dirk for keeping history alive and the updates on the destruction of it. I have lived in Washington County going on fifty three years, my grandparents built a home in Forest Grove right after World War Two and my dad went to Forest Grove High School. My parents moved out or Washington County just over twenty years ago it was not a area they wanted to spend their retirement. My brother and I went to West Union Grade School then on the Evergreen and Glencoe. I love seeing the farms and the people working the land this area has a special place in my heart with all the history. Now with this destruction it really is depressing and I have struggled with depression all my life, going for a drive in the country and seeing all the fields was a huge morale booster now most of the farms and fields are gone. I wish I could move out of this area to Eastern Oregon or Idaho because I can’t stand seeing my home of almost fifty three years destroyed.
The memories for those of us who lived it and loved it are always there. This is why we must preserve as much as we can of what is left. Even if it is in small ways.
Hello everyone. I am not a resident of this particular area, nor am I a resident of your state. I live in Los Lunas, New Mexico (Valencia County). As I was reading this information – honestly it made me even more concerned. What is going on here in America? Why is it that our own local government/ county elected officials keep plans like this hush hush until someone like ( you and I ) dig deeper.
As much as this hurts to say this. Say bye bye to all the greenery, native plants, clean air and definitely Natural Resources ( Water and Sun). Say hello to health problems (more people having heart attacks and at a very young age) , everyone on edge (feeling jittery/ out of balance) , very LOW energy (feeling drained all the time), and the heat you will feel (noticeably) as if you were a rotisserie chicken. Why am I saying this? The Facebook driven Data Centers (will soon ) attach your city name to it and will no longer be called Facebook. Because the town you live in will get kickbacks for (city name- Data Center). What is to come- is going to be even more upsetting.
From what I see and have read in this public forum is the very same thing my hometown (a small farmland community). Has now been taken over by this very same Industrial/ Infrastructure. Did I mention – this very same Data center/ Amazon nonsense. Has and continues to swindle farmers to sell land. Lots of land. Not only to build the facilities – we the residents blindsided. No mention of this from the local elected officials to the public (the residents). But these phoney, greedy driven could care less. Well… here we are The Los Lunas Meta Data Centers (formally known as Facebook) and an Amazon Warehouse within the same area down the road from each other. Amazon warehouse was built quickly and sat empty after the entire facility was complete for almost 2 years- why I have no idea. Within the last year 2024 it has hired employees and is operational.
Well…. This data center that broke ground in 2014 is still not complete. The proposed 3 building data center turned into 9 and now (as I’ve been researching) will be 11 data center buildings). And when completed it will be back to back next to Amazon.
So…. How do these data center facilities power these large scale technology centers? *Solar Farms Yes What may sound like a Great idea- To go Solar. Solar- for residential homes might not be so bad. But Solar Farms to Power these data center/ Amazon facilities is definitely NOT SO GOOD.
Now we have a pretty large solar farm (only to power these data center buildings) and… another is going up as well. But the 2nd solar farm being built (most residents know nothing about) but these greedy hand elected officials sure do. And haven’t said a word about it.
Me- New Mexico we do have great weather. However since the solar farms continue to take over land (farm land), and consume our water. Millions/ billions and soon trillions of gallons of Water- drinking water. To cool down the panels and keep the facility operational at a very cool temp- yup our local government sold us out by selling our water.
I’ve been keeping track, my own research, my own choice.
Why? This heat that we now experience is not even close to normal. No way In your area it’s just a matter of time until all that greenery dies. Nothing will grow for miles around it. What do you think that does for the people who live near, or the population in the areas. They too will die. Not to mention our state is in a drought, yet they continue to dry up our water resi.
As I looks at the outlay and planning for your area, it’s honestly not much different from what they have done here in Los Lunas New Mexico. Almost to the T the same thing. Same planning. Please look into and compare the two so you can see for yourself. Our community isn’t for the people either. In which most who live here Poverty community trying to make ends meet. And these POS continue to line there pockets.
My 3 d great grandmother is buried in Hillsboro…she came on the Oregon Trail, ran a hotel and lived a very long life. Progress seems to be a steam riolled energy that has difficulty valuing the past, underestimating the impacts, and consequences of CONCRETE DECISIONS, and beliigerant to get its way. You cant fight CITY HALL but we can expose its follies. Thank you for being a voice for the past, present and future.
The triangle between North Plains, Forest Grove and Banks filled in with retail, residential, and industry. It is a given considering Oregon’s rules saying that new growth has be be connected to the existing Urban Growth Boundary.
I’m not sure why people on the edge of the UGB think that things will stay the same. It is only a matter of time assuming that Oregon continues to grow and prosper.
That’s going to be a helluva feat considering how little water each of those municipalities currently has access to. Also, considering that both Forest Grove and Cornelius’ economies are heavily dependent on farming of some nature, each has been a touch more reticent to turn over farmland than its neighbors to the East.
Nobody on the UGB thinks things are going to “stay the same”… pretty much ever. But when concrete boxes of 12 jobs or less sitting on multiple acres with nothing but unused parking lots and tax abatements to show for them constitute “growth and prosperity,” those landowners are well within their rights to ask why that neighboring land isn’t being used to meet more immediate needs: Like park and recreation space for the communities to the south or more housing for an area that is both in crisis and in proximity of the water, sewer, and power to support it.
This isn’t being good Stewards of the land that’s been entrusted to this generation. Will they not stop until every square foot of the earth in our state and country is covered with concrete and buildings? The size of the average U.S. family, defined as people related by birth, marriage or adoption who live together — is now around three people, down from almost four in 1960. We don’t need all this housing and mega industry. We have to stop buying this edict from the state telling cities and counties they will be severely penalized if they don’t bring more land into Urban Growth boundary. Residents must stand up and start asking where the logic is in all of this.
It is impossible to tell the story with North being up on a Map- thus I labeled the streets. When you start a paper- and spend 40 hours a week or more unpaid to tell the stories of our communities that no one else does, I am sure the maps will be right. I appreciate the ask- I am a Real Estate broker and always try to get North up on maps. For storytelling purposes it is just not always possible!
Thanks for a great article and a lot of historical perspective. I think the issues of land use, public policy , and economic development are all important factors for consideration in any regional community.
However when it comes to Data Center development and operators there is a lot of mis-information, and personal bias against the industry. The facts are data centers do have a significant positive economic benefit on the local communities they operate in. They pay more than their fair share of taxes to the local economy, and contribute significantly higher revenues than alternative industrial developments. The semiconductor industry is the one exception to that from a development cost, and direct jobs creation.
Data Center development in Hillsboro has invested multi-billion dollar of economic activity to the economy. These facilities are an important piece of global e-commerce. The construction jobs are high paying, and we have an incredible trade craft industry here in Oregon as a result. All of our industries rely on digital infrastructure to operate in and beyond Oregon. Indirect jobs beyond construction are plentiful, high paying careers. Living and working in this community I know several hundreds industry workers. None of them sit in a data center to perform their job. It is interesting travel to others states whose leadership understand the importance of digital infrastructure, how it supports their communities, both from a tax revenue perspective, and direct benefits to the residents.
The reason for the Tax breaks is because these industries spend far more ($B) to develop these facilities and the property taxes would be inordinate to other developments. Job creation is part of the equation, and should consider the impact to wages not just quantity. Is there an opportunity to reform the Enterprise Zone programs? Sure there is. But to blame it on data centers and the industry as a whole without really looking at the data and facts related to the benefits is misguided.
None of them are payi h property taxes for at least 5 years. The jobs they generate will end and not be sustained once the ppwer grid is maxed out. The fact is they are only here because of the 4 or 5 transcontinental fiber cables. City hall has been honest … it is all about property taxes. In the end these facilities are bad for the power grids, the environment, and a waste of land. If jobs is what we need, they are a dismal last place compared to an Intel or any other manfacturing hub. But they are not coming. These cash cows will have the City and County happy when they start paying taxes. That much is true.
How many people did the Vanderzanden family employ? When I drive past the current data centers on a daily basis there are about 10-12 cars in front of each. I’d bet that each one of those data centers employ more than the farm they replace – before we add in the Amazon distribution or that unnamed manufacturing building with 2,000 parking spots.
Thanks for the info – as usually you have done a great job gathering the data. We just are never going to agree on whether or not growth is good for Hillsboro.
How many head of livestock to data centers feed? How many pounds of oat or wheat do they produce? How much carbon or water do they absorb and reuse? How much residual heat do they absorb?
If we’re playing “some jobs are better than none,” the some that offset existing asphalt, concrete, runoff, and carbon emissions outweigh those that contribute to all of the above if you’re trying to create a livable environment. And let’s go to that “unnamed manufacturing building with 2,000 parking spots.” The amount of manufacturing vacancy surrounding HIO already suggests that there will never be any one entity in that facility. Instead, we’re more likely to end up with “light manufacturing” along the lines of that dotting 25th and north of 26 that will never use even 50% of that parking space unless a church pop-up or event facility moves in on weekends.
You ask us to approach Hillsboro as if we don’t already live here and haven’t seen how each of the developments of this ilk have already played out. As if we don’t see the “huge” Hitachi space that topped out at 275 jobs. Or the “massive” TOK investment that brought… 114 jobs here. Those 2,000 spots aren’t jobs or even cars… they’re aesthetics: A buffer between the facility and its neighbors that you don’t have to mow.
But you’re right: Totes better to have “for lease” signs on the building for time immemorial and short-lived craft breweries or distilleries than places where people—across from a residential neighborhood—can live or play. Hey, if we’re suddenly going to get a bunch of lights, I’d rather they be neighbors’ houses or beer-league softball games than a well-lit, lightly used business park. Hell, at least the Thorns and WNBA Portland would actually let the community in once in a while: https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2025/04/portland-thorns-wnba-team-break-ground-on-joint-training-facility-in-hillsboro.html
Dirk~ Thanks for doing such a good job reporting on this. Your love for Oregon and the place you grew up shows through. Hillsboro is lucky to have a person that cares so much and has the knowledge of it’s history that is getting destroyed. I’m heartbroken…
When other outlets report on these projects, they act like it’s the best thing to happen to that area and that the area was nothing before that project came along. They’re so wrong. I wish more would report on it in this way to remind people what they’re losing, but that wont happen!
Chad, I hate to say it but Eastern Oregon and Idaho are also getting hammered with nightmarish projects, completely altering the place forever. Unless you like giant industrial solar, wind farms and giant data centers everywhere. There are still some areas but there are so many projects planned for private and public lands. You’d have to try to find a mayor and city council that doesn’t want that either and I’m not aware of any. Consider staying and fighting.
We’ve always developed but the things we’re doing now are OFF THE CHARTS CRAZY and if we allow it to continue we will lose everything. I’m sorry to be so negative but if you’re paying attention there are no other words to describe what is happening everywhere. Please don’t let it happen without a fight. I hope others are thinking about things we can do to counteract this horror. I’m seeing a lot of signs where people aren’t happy about all these changes and it would be nice if we could come together and try to see what we could do to minimize it. I know a different Governor and other people in various positions would help, but that might be harder then trying to get something on the ballot or ?. We used to have a lot more say in how our cities in Oregon developed and the legislature took that away. What about trying to get something else like it back on the ballot where areas could have more of a say in whether or not they wanted this? Water? Again we have to fight. We had amazing people in the 70’s that worked so hard at making Oregon the place it is today, along with others that have tried to keep those protections in place. We can’t let all their hard work go to waste.
Another feather in the cap of politicians, that’s all it is . And it stinks. The short sighted depletion of fertile Willamette soil will one day be considered one of the great mistakes in state history. All for making out of state entities rich. Way to go Gov Kotek
Thank you for all this information. My wife and I have appreciated and loved our drives in the North Hillsboro farm lands. To see this beautiful and fertile land paved over and offering nothing but acres and acres of identical structures is disheartening. Solar farms to provide power for these facilities? Why can’t these buildings be constructed with the panels on their roofs (like they expect us home owners to do)? How much will these projects consume in water and how much will they be charged? The same percentage we pay as our water prices increase every year? Food for thought.
This is the cost of just adding thank you to using AI. If AI was being used for things like controlling traffic lights to most effectively guide traffic. That would be a good use. But many are kids through adults making pictures, or seeing what they look like with blue hair. What amount of resources is that using?
“OpenAl CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that users being polite to ChatGPT have added millions of dollars in computing costs. His comment sparked debate over Al etiquette and energy consumption with some experts, like Microsoft’s Kurtis Beavers, arguing that polite prompts help “generate respectful, collaborative outputs.” But environmental concerns loom large. A Washington Post-backed study found that even short Al-generated texts generate enough energy to power multiple households with modest usage. As Al tools like ChatGPT become more embedded in daily routines, their carbon footprint grows. With data centers already accounting for around 2% of global energy usage, critics are urging users to consider the real-world cost of digital politeness.”
The price numbers are incorrect! My information indicated the data center still needs power. Getting the infrastructure there means well-paying jobs. This process has taken years to get this far. Due to all the requirements to ensure controlled urban growth. I am sad to see a place I know, and love change but, change is inevitable.
It seems you are Vanderzanden Family. My numbers came from deeds. Are you part of the group that sold? I am puzzled by the fact there have been so many transfers since VanRose sold it.
I certainly did not say that. There was a subdivision done and then several transfers. I can not find the deeds from VanRose to the developers. I did find one sale for like $37 Million. Would that have been the sale for the entire farm by VanRose? If so I will correct this right away. How it got from $37M to $166M in a year is really surprising.
From OregonLive today – The Oregon House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to shield residential ratepayers and small businesses from the costs of providing electricity to large data centers.
House Bill 3546 empowers state regulators to consider the energy use of server farms and cryptocurrency miners when determining who pays for new power plants and power lines, shifting a proportionate share of the cost to those customers when it finds they would be the main beneficiary.
The bill also requires new data centers to commit to buy power for at least a decade, to ensure they stick around to pay the bills if their arrival triggers construction of power infrastructure.
The House voted 41-16 in favor of the bill, which now moves to the state Senate. Gov. Tina Kotek said Tuesday she will sign HB 3546 if it reaches her desk.
“The people of Oregon should not foot the bill for data centers straining the power grid,” said Rep. Dacia Grayber, D-Portland.
Electric cooperatives in eastern and central Oregon already have the authority to insulate their residential ratepayers from the costs of serving large, new industrial customers.
Records show that cooperatives have used that authority in places like Morrow County, where Amazon has a huge installation of data centers but residential power rates have risen little.
However, the Oregon Public Utility Commission has warned that state regulations may not give the agency enough authority to protect consumers in areas served by private utilities like Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp.
Data centers are growing rapidly with the advent of artificial intelligence and already consume 11% of all the state’s electricity. That’s more than twice as much power as all the homes in Portland use.
In 2014 following a State Court of Appeals ruling that nullified Washington County’s attempt to urbanize high quality farmland, negotiations got under way. Save Helvetia, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and the “3 Farmers” were the successful appellants. HB 4078 (the Grand Bargain), attempted to fast track what all could agree to. The City of Hillsboro and Washington County agreed to swear in front of the legislature that they supported the deal: Hillsboro would get a green light for the South Hillsboro development and the North Hillsboro Industrial Area. In exchange, over 2000 additional farm acres would be saved as “rural reserves”, protected for some 40 years. Much of the protected acreage is west and north of the VanderZanden acreage: other acres were north of the City of Cornelius and west of NW Helvetia Road, south of NW West Union Rd. No sooner than the deal was done, Andy Duyck (Washington County Chair) began lamenting that he was forced into the deal. More recently, the City of Hillsboro has reneged on its swearing to the deal, and now wants to develop the 1700 protected acres west and north of this area. Mayors Willey and Calloway should be held to account along with the other go along councilors and staff. Senator Sollman has been the legislative advocate for developing this farmland through multiple legislative attempts. While rated high quality farmland, land owners are motivated to make millions if they can find a way to rezone the land. The CHIPS acreage gave them hope, but the Governor did not act to take this prime farmland before the 12/31/24 deadline. Intel’s fortunes played a role in that outcome. If residents of Hillsboro want to protect what is left of the surrounding farmland, they need look no further than their city council.
There is lots of “high quality Farmland” throughout the Willamette Valley, not just local to Hillsboro. Moreover, any support for the so called 1000 friends of Oregon or similar groups is essentially support for higher cost housing and benefits mostly those who own property where the unnecessary UGB might be expanded.
This is but one reason we left Hillsboro in 2018. We left the west coast entirely. I’ve lived in all three states there and the progressive governments and voters are killing these places for people to live. As beautiful as these states are, and I’ve traveled all three a lot, the politics isn’t worth it.
You get what you vote for. You voted for this. Conservatives didn’t, I get that, but they are so outnumbered by low information voters and politicians who view themselves as lords to the serfs that are their constituents that this is the expected outcome.
I fail to see how this helps the environment – speaking to all those who are champions of the Green agenda. You pave over valuable farm land that can never be reclaimed. Good job.
We voted for what specifically Geoff? What are we blaming the progressives for? It’s not like there is any shortage of blame to go around for the unaffordabilty of this area, or are you concerned about the NIMBYism the progressives are known for? That would be a valid complaint. Or is it the tendacy of liberals who want to provide health care for everyone? Or the minimum wage that’s double that of the joke that they pay people to the East of Oregon’s border? Please be more specific.
To a large degree Geoff is right. The well-off white haired progressives who won’t allow one inch of expansion to the urban growth boundaries (something that only exists here and a couple other places) don’t seem too concerned about allowing one data center after another to be built without any real meaningful opposition. Why is that? Are they just so enamored with the whole entire tech industry they can’t say no? The Ai crash /bubble burst is right around the corner folks. And we banked our future on the highest priced housing in the country, and mostly low wage jobs.
What a crime. This is covering the most fertile soil in all the state. Why can’t we vote on this. Put the data centers in desolate land. No one works there and they pollute. Makes me sick to see how farmers are forced out and Oregon will be nothing but cement. Really sad to see what Hillsboro has become.
“Go back to the history of the Grand Bargain before 2014: Part of the “bargain” portion of it was a portion of the VanderZanden family that still wanted to farm sacrificing the tulip farm and its land east of Jackson School to preserve everything to the west.
What you just laid out is what we all knew was possible for the last 11 years and what we knew was coming for at least the last year. When Rancho El Nogal held its last jaripeo on Evergreen a few years back—long before the little houses on Jackson School started clearing out—that was the end of it. What remains baffling about all of it is just how willing the city was to put industrial development right across from residential from 25th and west.
The logistics there will likely have to be small vehicles like Amazon to navigate the circle at Meek and Jackson with any frequency, but I’m glad the neighborhood finally gets to see what’s coming. As I mentioned before, a bunch of the land west of Jackson is about to go over to blueberries and make an interesting claim to become a portion of the irrigation district. Should that happen—and should the proliferation of some of my multimillion-dollar neighbors on the fringes continue thanks to the defeat of the anti-farm mansion/B&B bill—I think we’re about to see an interesting and very stark hardening of the UGB that I hadn’t envisioned.
It’s an interesting view up here.
Typical stupidity… probably a californian developer. This is not welcome or wanted. Will corporate entities be happy when all land is covered with ugly buildings designed by greed?
They built the newest masses of housing south of Hillsboro, but most of the newest workplaces whose jobs could support those housing prices north of Hillsboro, leaving many new people to cross the city vertically without freeways or trains.
Seems like the wrong way to plan.
You are 110% right. And many of us complained about this. Hillsboro is closing in on a traffic hell of epic proportions. Money drove all of this. Houses should have been to the North. But you see, that would require putting people first. The power structure we have in this County and City have never put our people first!
The argument I’d always heard was that you wanted industrial development near 26 for access to the road. But the industrial development that unfolded—with the exception of the Amazon distribution centers—didn’t really require that proximity. It was more about proximity to the data landing cables and utility infrastructure. Why that didn’t mean more centers near Aloclek… well, maybe that’s a question for Intel or Oracle.
But putting the glut of housing not only south of the industry, but south of TVH was something no reasonable urban planner would’ve devised. Your main east-west spur is an orphan highway dotted with scattershot retail. Your primary north-south corridors at 185th, Cornelius Pass, and Brookwood are ill-suited for that form of commute, and the public transit in that area is negligible to the point of negligence.
The one thing I’ll give my neighbors in the North Hillsboro Alliance is that when they initially wanted to sell out, it was to connect the Jackson School neighborhoods to another walkable, amenity-laden neighborhood to the north. Hillsboro even built it out that way: Improving sidewalks and signals along Glencoe and turning Jackson School into a pedestrian and bicycle superhighway downtown. That plan, regardless of its origins, at least made sense from a planning perspective.
South Hillsboro is still very much a work in progress, and even Reed’s Crossing is turning over so rapidly that I’m unsure how it’s going to shake out. But there’s nothing short of a complete overhaul of Intel Aloha that’s going to make that location sensible from a logistical perspective. Kids used to learn this playing Sim City, but now with Minecraft: You don’t just build on a plot of land because it’s flat and there… you build for a purpose. Otherwise, good luck undoing your mistake.
These data centers are not “workplaces”. Few if any real jobs, and virtually nothing is produced by the data centers that will improve anyone’s life.
is all of this south of 26?
Yes.
Change is hard, just ask the local native Indians…
A very unintelligent comment. That is not even a good comparison. This is just greed and hubris. The first Nation people were killed by disease, force, criminal acts, and those that survived were forcibly removed from their lands and homes. Not even closely comparable.
But it is a good comparison. The natives had to endure outsiders moving in and changing their homeland in a way they didn’t like or understand.
You can always set an example and go back to your home land.
This sounds like the reason PGE wants to punch a wider hole through Forest Park! Why is PGE being so sneaky about this? Again, greed. Shareholders should be embarrassed about what they are doing to air quality and the destruction of the city of Portland as we know it. Think wind changes, cloud formation and rain as the consequence of their actions to make a buck. I was born and raised here, and I can’t wait for my house to sell and move out of this state. I’m 74, and it’s a heartbreak.
Well, the answer is yes. This project among others is the reason the BPA and PGE are punching a massive hole through Forest Park. Very sad… all based in greed and just for cheap power.
PGE has been very open about the Forest Park widening work.
Thank you Dirk for keeping the information flowing. I am going to miss the spring peonies sold on the honor system, and my scenic drive home.
It is shocking to understand how this all transpired, and frankly, what is to come.
Hopefully the planning commission will keep the watershed in its natural state and designate it as park land.
Robin, you are most welcome. As much as it hurts to write things like this, I had to.
Where is all the water they need going to be allocated from. Data centers, and chip components use immense amounts of water.
Solar farms – I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.
For every Data Center going up, a solar farm/wind farm comes with it.
To only power the AI data centers.
Then your local utilities- will raise up residents utility bills both Electric and water.
The energy the solar farms will generate- brings zero benefits to the people who call this home. And it surely doesn’t help lower our cost of anything.
Skyrockets everything. These data centers- are killing our planet.
And everything we know
I grew up here. Crying as I read this. Thank you for your well informed article.
I will shed a tear with you, Crystal. I am right there with you. Thanks for reading!
Thank you Dirk for keeping history alive and the updates on the destruction of it. I have lived in Washington County going on fifty three years, my grandparents built a home in Forest Grove right after World War Two and my dad went to Forest Grove High School. My parents moved out or Washington County just over twenty years ago it was not a area they wanted to spend their retirement.
My brother and I went to West Union Grade School then on the Evergreen and Glencoe. I love seeing the farms and the people working the land this area has a special place in my heart with all the history. Now wish this destruction it really is depressing and I have struggled with depression all my life, going for a drive in the country and seeing all the fields was a huge morale buster now most of the farms and fields are gone. I wish I could move out of this area to Eastern Oregon or Idaho because I can’t stand seeing my home of almost fifty three years destroyed.
Thank you Dirk for keeping history alive and the updates on the destruction of it. I have lived in Washington County going on fifty three years, my grandparents built a home in Forest Grove right after World War Two and my dad went to Forest Grove High School. My parents moved out or Washington County just over twenty years ago it was not a area they wanted to spend their retirement.
My brother and I went to West Union Grade School then on the Evergreen and Glencoe. I love seeing the farms and the people working the land this area has a special place in my heart with all the history. Now with this destruction it really is depressing and I have struggled with depression all my life, going for a drive in the country and seeing all the fields was a huge morale booster now most of the farms and fields are gone. I wish I could move out of this area to Eastern Oregon or Idaho because I can’t stand seeing my home of almost fifty three years destroyed.
The memories for those of us who lived it and loved it are always there. This is why we must preserve as much as we can of what is left. Even if it is in small ways.
The city should have purchased the Windmill and relocated it to Shute Park.
Lmao
Why is that so funny? I live 3 blocks from Shute Park and it’s literally a graveyard at nights…Spooky
Hello everyone. I am not a resident of this particular area, nor am I a resident of your state. I live in
Los Lunas, New Mexico (Valencia County).
As I was reading this information – honestly it made me even more concerned. What is going on here in America? Why is it that our own local government/ county elected officials keep plans like this hush hush until someone like ( you and I ) dig deeper.
As much as this hurts to say this. Say bye bye to all the greenery, native plants, clean air and definitely Natural Resources ( Water and Sun). Say hello to health problems (more people having heart attacks and at a very young age) , everyone on edge (feeling jittery/ out of balance) , very LOW energy (feeling drained all the time), and the heat you will feel (noticeably) as if you were a rotisserie chicken.
Why am I saying this? The Facebook driven Data Centers (will soon ) attach your city name to it and will no longer be called Facebook. Because the town you live in will get kickbacks for (city name- Data Center).
What is to come- is going to be even more upsetting.
From what I see and have read in this public forum is the very same thing my hometown (a small farmland community). Has now been taken over by this very same Industrial/ Infrastructure. Did I mention – this very same Data center/ Amazon nonsense. Has and continues to swindle farmers to sell land. Lots of land.
Not only to build the facilities – we the residents blindsided. No mention of this from the local elected officials to the public (the residents). But these phoney, greedy driven could care less.
Well… here we are The Los Lunas Meta Data Centers (formally known as Facebook) and an Amazon Warehouse within the same area down the road from each other. Amazon warehouse was built quickly and sat empty after the entire facility was complete for almost 2 years- why I have no idea. Within the last year 2024 it has hired employees and is operational.
Well…. This data center that broke ground in 2014 is still not complete. The proposed 3 building data center turned into 9 and now (as I’ve been researching) will be 11 data center buildings). And when completed it will be back to back next to Amazon.
So…. How do these data center facilities power these large scale technology centers?
*Solar Farms
Yes What may sound like a Great idea- To go Solar.
Solar- for residential homes might not be so bad. But Solar Farms to Power these data center/ Amazon facilities is definitely NOT SO GOOD.
Now we have a pretty large solar farm (only to power these data center buildings) and… another is going up as well. But the 2nd solar farm being built (most residents know nothing about) but these greedy hand elected officials sure do. And haven’t said a word about it.
Me- New Mexico we do have great weather. However since the solar farms continue to take over land (farm land), and consume our water. Millions/ billions and soon trillions of gallons of Water- drinking water. To cool down the panels and keep the facility operational at a very cool temp- yup our local government sold us out by selling our water.
I’ve been keeping track, my own research, my own choice.
Why? This heat that we now experience is not even close to normal. No way
In your area it’s just a matter of time until all that greenery dies. Nothing will grow for miles around it. What do you think that does for the people who live near, or the population in the areas. They too will die. Not to mention our state is in a drought, yet they continue to dry up our water resi.
As I looks at the outlay and planning for your area, it’s honestly not much different from what they have done here in Los Lunas New Mexico. Almost to the T the same thing. Same planning. Please look into and compare the two so you can see for yourself.
Our community isn’t for the people either. In which most who live here Poverty community trying to make ends meet. And these POS continue to line there pockets.
My 3 d great grandmother is buried in Hillsboro…she came on the Oregon Trail, ran a hotel and lived a very long life. Progress seems to be a steam riolled energy that has difficulty valuing the past, underestimating the impacts, and consequences of CONCRETE DECISIONS, and beliigerant to get its way. You cant fight CITY HALL but we can expose its follies. Thank you for being a voice for the past, present and future.
Can anyone imagine what all this will be like in 50 years ?
The triangle between North Plains, Forest Grove and Banks filled in with retail, residential, and industry. It is a given considering Oregon’s rules saying that new growth has be be connected to the existing Urban Growth Boundary.
I’m not sure why people on the edge of the UGB think that things will stay the same. It is only a matter of time assuming that Oregon continues to grow and prosper.
That’s going to be a helluva feat considering how little water each of those municipalities currently has access to. Also, considering that both Forest Grove and Cornelius’ economies are heavily dependent on farming of some nature, each has been a touch more reticent to turn over farmland than its neighbors to the East.
Nobody on the UGB thinks things are going to “stay the same”… pretty much ever. But when concrete boxes of 12 jobs or less sitting on multiple acres with nothing but unused parking lots and tax abatements to show for them constitute “growth and prosperity,” those landowners are well within their rights to ask why that neighboring land isn’t being used to meet more immediate needs: Like park and recreation space for the communities to the south or more housing for an area that is both in crisis and in proximity of the water, sewer, and power to support it.
This isn’t being good Stewards of the land that’s been entrusted to this generation. Will they not stop until every square foot of the earth in our state and country is covered with concrete and buildings? The size of the average U.S. family, defined as people related by birth, marriage or adoption who live together — is now around three people, down from almost four in 1960. We don’t need all this housing and mega industry. We have to stop buying this edict from the state telling cities and counties they will be severely penalized if they don’t bring more land into Urban Growth boundary. Residents must stand up and start asking where the logic is in all of this.
As an aside, please use the map standard of showing North always to the top of the map.
Hello Dan-
It is impossible to tell the story with North being up on a Map- thus I labeled the streets. When you start a paper- and spend 40 hours a week or more unpaid to tell the stories of our communities that no one else does, I am sure the maps will be right. I appreciate the ask- I am a Real Estate broker and always try to get North up on maps. For storytelling purposes it is just not always possible!
Thanks for reading!
Dirk
I think a compass rose would be quick to add and would help orientate people faster than studying the road layout.
I wonder when we will finally wake up and realize that unlimited growth is unsustainable. Humans are destined for self destruction.
Thanks for a great article and a lot of historical perspective. I think the issues of land use, public policy , and economic development are all important factors for consideration in any regional community.
However when it comes to Data Center development and operators there is a lot of mis-information, and personal bias against the industry. The facts are data centers do have a significant positive economic benefit on the local communities they operate in. They pay more than their fair share of taxes to the local economy, and contribute significantly higher revenues than alternative industrial developments. The semiconductor industry is the one exception to that from a development cost, and direct jobs creation.
Data Center development in Hillsboro has invested multi-billion dollar of economic activity to the economy. These facilities are an important piece of global e-commerce. The construction jobs are high paying, and we have an incredible trade craft industry here in Oregon as a result. All of our industries rely on digital infrastructure to operate in and beyond Oregon. Indirect jobs beyond construction are plentiful, high paying careers. Living and working in this community I know several hundreds industry workers. None of them sit in a data center to perform their job. It is interesting travel to others states whose leadership understand the importance of digital infrastructure, how it supports their communities, both from a tax revenue perspective, and direct benefits to the residents.
The reason for the Tax breaks is because these industries spend far more ($B) to develop these facilities and the property taxes would be inordinate to other developments. Job creation is part of the equation, and should consider the impact to wages not just quantity. Is there an opportunity to reform the Enterprise Zone programs? Sure there is. But to blame it on data centers and the industry as a whole without really looking at the data and facts related to the benefits is misguided.
None of them are payi h property taxes for at least 5 years. The jobs they generate will end and not be sustained once the ppwer grid is maxed out. The fact is they are only here because of the 4 or 5 transcontinental fiber cables. City hall has been honest … it is all about property taxes. In the end these facilities are bad for the power grids, the environment, and a waste of land. If jobs is what we need, they are a dismal last place compared to an Intel or any other manfacturing hub. But they are not coming. These cash cows will have the City and County happy when they start paying taxes. That much is true.
How many people did the Vanderzanden family employ? When I drive past the current data centers on a daily basis there are about 10-12 cars in front of each. I’d bet that each one of those data centers employ more than the farm they replace – before we add in the Amazon distribution or that unnamed manufacturing building with 2,000 parking spots.
Thanks for the info – as usually you have done a great job gathering the data. We just are never going to agree on whether or not growth is good for Hillsboro.
How many head of livestock to data centers feed? How many pounds of oat or wheat do they produce? How much carbon or water do they absorb and reuse? How much residual heat do they absorb?
If we’re playing “some jobs are better than none,” the some that offset existing asphalt, concrete, runoff, and carbon emissions outweigh those that contribute to all of the above if you’re trying to create a livable environment. And let’s go to that “unnamed manufacturing building with 2,000 parking spots.” The amount of manufacturing vacancy surrounding HIO already suggests that there will never be any one entity in that facility. Instead, we’re more likely to end up with “light manufacturing” along the lines of that dotting 25th and north of 26 that will never use even 50% of that parking space unless a church pop-up or event facility moves in on weekends.
You ask us to approach Hillsboro as if we don’t already live here and haven’t seen how each of the developments of this ilk have already played out. As if we don’t see the “huge” Hitachi space that topped out at 275 jobs. Or the “massive” TOK investment that brought… 114 jobs here. Those 2,000 spots aren’t jobs or even cars… they’re aesthetics: A buffer between the facility and its neighbors that you don’t have to mow.
But you’re right: Totes better to have “for lease” signs on the building for time immemorial and short-lived craft breweries or distilleries than places where people—across from a residential neighborhood—can live or play. Hey, if we’re suddenly going to get a bunch of lights, I’d rather they be neighbors’ houses or beer-league softball games than a well-lit, lightly used business park. Hell, at least the Thorns and WNBA Portland would actually let the community in once in a while: https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2025/04/portland-thorns-wnba-team-break-ground-on-joint-training-facility-in-hillsboro.html
Dirk~ Thanks for doing such a good job reporting on this. Your love for Oregon and the place you grew up shows through. Hillsboro is lucky to have a person that cares so much and has the knowledge of it’s history that is getting destroyed. I’m heartbroken…
When other outlets report on these projects, they act like it’s the best thing to happen to that area and that the area was nothing before that project came along. They’re so wrong. I wish more would report on it in this way to remind people what they’re losing, but that wont happen!
Chad, I hate to say it but Eastern Oregon and Idaho are also getting hammered with nightmarish projects, completely altering the place forever. Unless you like giant industrial solar, wind farms and giant data centers everywhere. There are still some areas but there are so many projects planned for private and public lands. You’d have to try to find a mayor and city council that doesn’t want that either and I’m not aware of any. Consider staying and fighting.
We’ve always developed but the things we’re doing now are OFF THE CHARTS CRAZY and if we allow it to continue we will lose everything. I’m sorry to be so negative but if you’re paying attention there are no other words to describe what is happening everywhere. Please don’t let it happen without a fight. I hope others are thinking about things we can do to counteract this horror. I’m seeing a lot of signs where people aren’t happy about all these changes and it would be nice if we could come together and try to see what we could do to minimize it. I know a different Governor and other people in various positions would help, but that might be harder then trying to get something on the ballot or ?. We used to have a lot more say in how our cities in Oregon developed and the legislature took that away. What about trying to get something else like it back on the ballot where areas could have more of a say in whether or not they wanted this? Water? Again we have to fight. We had amazing people in the 70’s that worked so hard at making Oregon the place it is today, along with others that have tried to keep those protections in place. We can’t let all their hard work go to waste.
Another feather in the cap of politicians, that’s all it is . And it stinks. The short sighted depletion of fertile Willamette soil will one day be considered one of the great mistakes in state history. All for making out of state entities rich. Way to go Gov Kotek
This was decided pre-Gov Kotek.
Thank you for all this information. My wife and I have appreciated and loved our drives in the North Hillsboro farm lands. To see this beautiful and fertile land paved over and offering nothing but acres and acres of identical structures is disheartening. Solar farms to provide power for these facilities? Why can’t these buildings be constructed with the panels on their roofs (like they expect us home owners to do)? How much will these projects consume in water and how much will they be charged? The same percentage we pay as our water prices increase every year? Food for thought.
News Flash – To honor the many data centers in the city, the Hillsboro Hops will be changing their name to the Hillsboro Hard Drives!
This is the cost of just adding thank you to using AI. If AI was being used for things like controlling traffic lights to most effectively guide traffic. That would be a good use. But many are kids through adults making pictures, or seeing what they look like with blue hair. What amount of resources is that using?
“OpenAl CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that users being polite to ChatGPT have added millions of dollars in computing costs. His comment sparked debate over Al etiquette and energy consumption with some experts, like Microsoft’s Kurtis Beavers, arguing that polite prompts help “generate respectful, collaborative outputs.”
But environmental concerns loom large. A Washington Post-backed study found that even short Al-generated texts generate enough energy to power multiple households with modest usage.
As Al tools like ChatGPT become more embedded in daily routines, their carbon footprint grows. With data centers already accounting for around 2% of global energy usage, critics are urging users to consider the real-world cost of digital politeness.”
The price numbers are incorrect!
My information indicated the data center still needs power. Getting the infrastructure there means well-paying jobs.
This process has taken years to get this far. Due to all the requirements to ensure controlled urban growth.
I am sad to see a place I know, and love change but, change is inevitable.
It seems you are Vanderzanden Family. My numbers came from deeds. Are you part of the group that sold? I am puzzled by the fact there have been so many transfers since VanRose sold it.
So, I have to ask are those consolidated price numbers? Why did you make it sound like the VanderZanden’s sold it for 166 instead of the reality?
I certainly did not say that. There was a subdivision done and then several transfers. I can not find the deeds from VanRose to the developers. I did find one sale for like $37 Million. Would that have been the sale for the entire farm by VanRose? If so I will correct this right away. How it got from $37M to $166M in a year is really surprising.
From OregonLive today – The Oregon House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to shield residential ratepayers and small businesses from the costs of providing electricity to large data centers.
House Bill 3546 empowers state regulators to consider the energy use of server farms and cryptocurrency miners when determining who pays for new power plants and power lines, shifting a proportionate share of the cost to those customers when it finds they would be the main beneficiary.
The bill also requires new data centers to commit to buy power for at least a decade, to ensure they stick around to pay the bills if their arrival triggers construction of power infrastructure.
The House voted 41-16 in favor of the bill, which now moves to the state Senate. Gov. Tina Kotek said Tuesday she will sign HB 3546 if it reaches her desk.
“The people of Oregon should not foot the bill for data centers straining the power grid,” said Rep. Dacia Grayber, D-Portland.
Electric cooperatives in eastern and central Oregon already have the authority to insulate their residential ratepayers from the costs of serving large, new industrial customers.
Records show that cooperatives have used that authority in places like Morrow County, where Amazon has a huge installation of data centers but residential power rates have risen little.
However, the Oregon Public Utility Commission has warned that state regulations may not give the agency enough authority to protect consumers in areas served by private utilities like Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp.
Data centers are growing rapidly with the advent of artificial intelligence and already consume 11% of all the state’s electricity. That’s more than twice as much power as all the homes in Portland use.
In 2014 following a State Court of Appeals ruling that nullified Washington County’s attempt to urbanize high quality farmland, negotiations got under way. Save Helvetia, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and the “3 Farmers” were the successful appellants. HB 4078 (the Grand Bargain), attempted to fast track what all could agree to. The City of Hillsboro and Washington County agreed to swear in front of the legislature that they supported the deal: Hillsboro would get a green light for the South Hillsboro development and the North Hillsboro Industrial Area. In exchange, over 2000 additional farm acres would be saved as “rural reserves”, protected for some 40 years. Much of the protected acreage is west and north of the VanderZanden acreage: other acres were north of the City of Cornelius and west of NW Helvetia Road, south of NW West Union Rd. No sooner than the deal was done, Andy Duyck (Washington County Chair) began lamenting that he was forced into the deal. More recently, the City of Hillsboro has reneged on its swearing to the deal, and now wants to develop the 1700 protected acres west and north of this area. Mayors Willey and Calloway should be held to account along with the other go along councilors and staff. Senator Sollman has been the legislative advocate for developing this farmland through multiple legislative attempts. While rated high quality farmland, land owners are motivated to make millions if they can find a way to rezone the land. The CHIPS acreage gave them hope, but the Governor did not act to take this prime farmland before the 12/31/24 deadline. Intel’s fortunes played a role in that outcome. If residents of Hillsboro want to protect what is left of the surrounding farmland, they need look no further than their city council.
There is lots of “high quality Farmland” throughout the Willamette Valley, not just local to Hillsboro. Moreover, any support for the so called 1000 friends of Oregon or similar groups is essentially support for higher cost housing and benefits mostly those who own property where the unnecessary UGB might be expanded.
This is but one reason we left Hillsboro in 2018. We left the west coast entirely. I’ve lived in all three states there and the progressive governments and voters are killing these places for people to live. As beautiful as these states are, and I’ve traveled all three a lot, the politics isn’t worth it.
You get what you vote for. You voted for this. Conservatives didn’t, I get that, but they are so outnumbered by low information voters and politicians who view themselves as lords to the serfs that are their constituents that this is the expected outcome.
I fail to see how this helps the environment – speaking to all those who are champions of the Green agenda. You pave over valuable farm land that can never be reclaimed. Good job.
We voted for what specifically Geoff? What are we blaming the progressives for? It’s not like there is any shortage of blame to go around for the unaffordabilty of this area, or are you concerned about the NIMBYism the progressives are known for? That would be a valid complaint. Or is it the tendacy of liberals who want to provide health care for everyone? Or the minimum wage that’s double that of the joke that they pay people to the East of Oregon’s border?
Please be more specific.
To a large degree Geoff is right. The well-off white haired progressives who won’t allow one inch of expansion to the urban growth boundaries (something that only exists here and a couple other places) don’t seem too concerned about allowing one data center after another to be built without any real meaningful opposition. Why is that? Are they just so enamored with the whole entire tech industry they can’t say no? The Ai crash /bubble burst is right around the corner folks. And we banked our future on the highest priced housing in the country, and mostly low wage jobs.
What a crime. This is covering the most fertile soil in all the state. Why can’t we vote on this.
Put the data centers in desolate land. No one works there and they pollute. Makes me sick to see how farmers are forced out and Oregon will be nothing but cement. Really sad to see what Hillsboro has become.