Treat our water with care: House bill deals with data center water consumption

The Idaho Senate Resources and Environment Committee advanced House Bill 895 (HB-895) to the House floor, aiming to regulate future water consumption by data centers in the state. Co-sponsored by Rep. Britt Raybould and House Speaker Mike Moyle, the bill stipulates that beginning July 1, 2026, new data center construction cannot use water for cooling as a consumptive use unless supplied by an existing water district. This measure seeks to safeguard Idaho's finite water resources for agriculture and other industries, addressing growing concerns about the environmental impact of large data centers. Kuna Mayor Joe Stear highlighted local efforts to manage water usage, noting that Meta's 960,000 square foot data center in Kuna underwent a year-long redesign to incorporate more cooling fans and reduce water dependency after initial discussions with the city. The mayor indicated Meta has not requested additional water beyond their current agreement, stating any future need would necessitate a new well. Cynthia Gibson of the Idaho Conservation League testified in support of HB-895, praising its proactive approach to one of the most significant environmental impacts of data centers.