Data center project highlights concerns on public land use
A proposed 4 million-square-foot data center by Rhea Data on federal land south of Boise, Idaho, has drawn opposition from local officials and environmental groups. Concerns include environmental impacts, particularly from a planned natural gas power facility, and the use of public lands for private development. Boise's mayor is calling for a statewide framework to protect natural resources from such large-scale data center projects.
A proposed 4 million-square-foot data center on federal land south of Boise, Idaho, has sparked significant concern regarding public land use and environmental impacts. The project, put forth by Rhea Data, a subsidiary of Nevada-based Arevia Power, includes plans for a natural gas power generation facility and would be the largest data center in the state. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean issued a statement calling for a statewide framework to protect natural resources from what she described as "devastating consequences" of such mega data centers, asserting that public lands should remain in public hands.
The Idaho Chapter of the Sierra Club also voiced strong opposition, citing potential harm to local air quality and climate, especially given existing energy demands from facilities like Micron's semiconductor plants and Meta's data center in Kuna. They criticized the "lack of transparency" from the Trump administration regarding the right-of-way applications on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management's Boise Field Office confirmed the project is in a preliminary "pre-NEPA" phase, meaning environmental reviews and public outreach are yet to begin.
The proposal's natural gas component and its integration into the energy grid remain unclear, with Williams Companies and Idaho Power both noting the preliminary nature of the project. Idaho Power indicated that any project of this scale would require extensive review by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and specific agreements to prevent cost shifting to existing customers. Meanwhile, the Idaho Legislature recently passed House Bills 911 and 895, imposing new requirements on large-load electricity customers and restricting "consumptive" water cooling systems for data centers starting July 1, 2026. These new laws will significantly impact future data center developments in the state, including the Rhea Data project should it advance beyond its current preliminary stages.