Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

Data Centers in Oregon: Water, Wetlands, and the Path Forward
(Register here)

This spring, Oregon PSR is teaming up with Central Oregon LandWatch, Oregon Rural Action, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Oregon Democrats Environmental Caucus, and Tualatin Riverkeepers on a series of webinars exploring the myriad issues surrounding data center proliferation.

First up: Data Centers in Oregon: Water, Wetlands, and the Path Forward

Join this webinar for background on the history and scope of data centers in Oregon, to learn about data centers’ impacts on water and wetlands, and to explore possible policy solutions. Speakers: Kaleb Lay, Oregon Rural Action; Ben Gordon, Central Oregon LandWatch; Kelsey Shaw Nakama, Tualatin Riverkeepers

Subsequent webinars will cover the economic loss of revenue due to property tax exemptions, large increases in electricity demand and rising rates, impact on renewable electricity standards, air pollution from diesel backup generators and new fossil fuel generation, appropriate siting to avoid farmland loss, and more.

Speaker bios (in alphabetical order):

Ben Gordon // Executive Director, Central Oregon LandWatch

Ben Gordon (he/him) has led Central Oregon LandWatch since 2020, providing vision and strategic leadership as the organization has evolved to meet the demands of a fast-growing region. Prior to joining LandWatch, Ben has held roles throughout Oregon’s environmental non-profit ecosystem. He taught forest ecology for the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, served as a community organizer for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and 1000 Friends of Oregon, then as Program Director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association. 

Kaleb Lay // Director of Policy & Research, Oregon Rural Action

Kaleb Lay is Director of Policy & Research with Oregon Rural Action, a grassroots organizing group in northeast Oregon. He is a leading expert in pollution and water issues in the Lower Umatilla Basin, which is one of the worst sacrifice zones in the state and Oregon's fastest-growing data center hub. Kaleb is also a fifth-generation east Oregonian with a passion for environmental justice, especially for rural communities.

Kelsey Shaw Nakama // Policy & Advocacy Director, Tualatin Riverkeepers

Kelsey grew up in Seattle, spending countless days at local parks and beaches along the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Those days tromping through woods and peeking in tidepools nurtured her curiosity and motivated her interest in protecting natural spaces. Since moving to Oregon in 2010, she has continued to explore the Pacific Northwest’s forests, mountains, and rivers—adventures that eventually led her to Lewis & Clark Law School, where she earned her J.D. with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law. As the Policy & Advocacy Director at Tualatin Riverkeepers, Kelsey particularly enjoys creating new environmental advocates through meaningful outdoor recreation and restoration experiences that inspire lasting connections to nature. 

Earth Day Celebration and Parade

Join Oregon PSR at The Earth Day Celebration and parade, Portland’s cornerstone celebration of planet Earth. Saturday, April 25 at Sunnyside Environmental School. 

Making Earth Cool, Sunnyside Environmental School, 350PDX, SOLVE, and others are planning another vibrant, inclusive, and impactful day to celebrate Earth Day.

We will begin with a gathering on the grounds of Sunnyside Environmental School for music, speakers, tabling, action stations, face painting, and a costume competition, followed by a parade through the Sunnyside neighborhood, featuring giant puppets, marching bands, singing, and dancing.

📅 Date: April 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:PM
📍 Where: Sunnyside Environmental School

Want to get involved? CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer. There are volunteer opportunities for the day of, as well as for the lead up to the event.

Rumble on the River Community Forums #30: What is the Deal with Data Centers? - Episode 2

Like the spring-time emergence of invasive plants, data centers appear to be cropping up everywhere. Aside from providing limited long-term employment opportunities and receiving tax breaks, data centers demand extreme amounts of water, energy and land. This the second and all-new Rumble installment of the continuing story of data centers in our region. 

Panel

• Wilbur Slockish, Klickitat Chief
• John DeVoe, Senior Advisor & former Executive Director of WaterWatch
• Kaleb Lay, Director of Research & Policy with Oregon Rural Action
• Nellie McAdams, Executive Director with Oregon Agricultural Trust
• Kelsey Shaw Nakama, Policy & Advocacy Director with Tualatin Riverkeepers
• Jody Wiser, Founder and Board President of Tax Fairness Oregon

Moderator 

• Barbara Bernstein, Filmmaker and host of KBOO Radio’s Locus Focus

📅 Date: Tuesday, April 28
⏰ Time
     🚪Doors/ Info Tables: 5:30 pm
     🎤Panel Starts: 6:30 pm
📍Where: 1211 SW Main Downtown // First Unitarian Portland
💰Cost: Rumbles are always free

Didn't get to attend What's the Deal with Data Centers? Episode 1, earlier this year? Check out a recording here
Attending and/or watching episode 1 is not at all required or necessary for attending Rumble 30.

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RUMBLE CO-SPONSORS

350 PDX 
Alliance for Democracy 
Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association
Bird Alliance of Oregon 
Braided River Campaign 
Breach Collective 
Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association 
Climate Reality Project-Portland Chapter
Columbia Riverkeeper 
Community for Earth/First Unitarian Portland 
Cully Association of Neighbors 
EcoFaith Recovery 
Economic Justice Action Group/First Unitarian Portland
Extinction Rebellion-PDX 
Frog Ferry 
Havurah Climate Action Team 
Human Access Project 
KBOO Radio 90.7 
Kenton Neighborhood Association 
Linnton Neighborhood Association
Maplewood Neighborhood Association 
Mosquito Fleet 
Mt Tabor Neighborhood Association 
Neighbors for Clean Air 
No More Freeways 
OPAL, Environmental Justice Oregon 
Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club 
Oregon Conservancy Foundation 
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility 
Pearl District Neighborhood Association 
P.E.S.T. Projection 
Portland Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines 
Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group 
Portland Harbor Community Coalition 
Portland Jobs with Justice 
Portland Raging Grannies 
Portsmouth Neighborhood Association 
St. Johns Neighborhood Association 
Sauvie Island Community Association 
Sunrise Movement PDX
Tank The Tanks
Th!rd Act Oregon
Tualatin Riverkeepers 
Willamette Riverkeeper

🌲 Toxic Roots of the Silicon Forest: People, Power, and Pollution in the Semiconductor Industry

🗓️Date: June 3-4
⏰Time: June 3: 6:30pm (doors at 6) - 9pm
              June 4: 9am (doors at 8:30am) - 6pm
📍Where: Portland State University Smith Memorial Student Union (1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201)

Toxic Roots of the Silicon Forest: People, Power, and Pollution in the Semiconductor Industry is a day-and-a-half conference taking place June 3-4, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. 

From the evening of June 3 through June 4, this gathering, co-hosted by Portland Jobs with Justice and CHIPS Communities United, will convene workers, researchers, environmental advocates, and community leaders from across Oregon and beyond. Together, participants will explore the legacy of the microchip industry, discuss its local impacts in Oregon, and plant the seeds for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Co-hosted by Portland Jobs with Justice and CHIPS Communities United, this day-and-a-half conference will convene workers, labor organizers, researchers, environmental advocates, and community leaders from across Oregon and beyond. Together, we will explore the legacy of the microchip industry and how it’s impacting our own backyard. 

We’re proud to be an Event Partner of the Toxic Roots conference and are excited to discuss and demand that the AI supply chain be sustainable, equitable, and accountable to the people.

RSVP HERE, TODAY!