Idaho Passes Bill to Address Data Center Electricity Demand, Urges State Oversight

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, representing District 32 (Bonneville County) in the Idaho House, discusses the increasing electricity demand driven primarily by data centers and the state's efforts to manage it. She co-sponsored House Bill 911 with Rep. Mike Veile, which was recently passed. This legislation mandates that new large-load customers requiring additional energy production pay their fair share for system upgrades, preventing existing Idaho ratepayers from bearing these costs. Mickelsen highlights that U.S. electricity demand has been stable for 15 years but is now projected to double by 2050, largely due to data centers, which could consume 7-12% of U.S. electricity by 2028. She notes a North American Electric Reliability Corporation forecast predicting a 69% jump in 10-year peak demand in just one year, requiring the equivalent of 91 new power plants. The representative emphasizes the importance of HB 911 to ensure a consistent and fair system for Idahoans and maintain long-term grid reliability for the state's economy and communities. She expresses concern over the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's proposed national rules for grid connection, viewing it as an overreach into state jurisdiction. Mickelsen also dismisses data center developers' pledges to cover new power generation expenses due to a lack of enforcement, asserting that Idaho must proactively manage its energy future at the state level.