Oregon may charge tech firms for undersea cables to fund public schools
The Oregon Department of State Lands is proposing a new fee structure for undersea cable operators to generate revenue for public schools. The plan would replace a flat application fee with a per-foot charge, potentially generating millions in funding over two decades.
Why it matters
This represents a shift in how states monetize critical digital infrastructure to support public services.
After decades of charging only a one-time fee for undersea cables along its coast, the Oregon Department of State Lands have recently begun discussing a new opportunity for tax revenue. Now, the state is set to charge cable operators a one-time fee for cable installations within three miles of its coastline and will be using that money to benefit public schools.The currently existing fee structure dates back to about 25 years ago in 2001, and is a simple $5,000 application fee. While the new pricing is still undergoing discussion, the simplified version is $3 per linear foot of cable laid within the 3 miles of coastal areas under the state's jurisdiction.
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