The Biden administration could decide as soon as this fall whether to site a major semiconductor research center in Oregon, a hub that could bring federal investment approaching $1 billion and make the region a focus for advancing computing for generations to come.

Behind the scenes, though, a fight has been brewing all summer among the project’s powerful backers, including Intel and Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, and land conservationists. Battle lines are being drawn over whether Gov. Tina Kotek should use her temporary special authority to designate rural land near Hillsboro for the research center.