Salem Residents Oppose Verrus Data Center Plan

Residents of Salem, Oregon, overwhelmingly opposed Verrus's proposed $5 billion-plus data center at a lengthy July 27 City Council meeting. Concerns centered on the project's potential water and electricity demand, environmental and noise effects, limited permanent employment, and a nondisclosure agreement that delayed public disclosure. The council directed staff to examine restrictions on future data-center NDAs and formed a task force to develop management policy, while the project has not yet received land-use or building approvals.