Latah County draft rules for data centers
Latah County, Idaho, is developing a new ordinance to regulate data centers on county land, addressing concerns about water usage, noise, and electrical consumption. The draft rules include prohibitions on consumptive groundwater use for cooling, noise limits, setback requirements, and mandates for water and energy management plans. A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for September 1.
Latah County, Idaho, is proactively developing new regulatory measures for data centers on county land, in response to the growing artificial intelligence industry. The Latah County Planning Commission recently discussed a draft ordinance, with a public hearing scheduled for September 1. The proposed regulations aim to mitigate potential impacts of data center operations on local resources and residents.
A key component of the draft ordinance is a strict prohibition on the consumptive use of groundwater for routine cooling operations, reflecting concerns about the Palouse Basin aquifer. This restriction aligns with recently passed Idaho state legislation and aims to protect the region's primary water source. Commission members, including Tom Moore and Phil Rheingans, emphasized the need to preserve existing resources, noting that these water restrictions might deter large data centers from locating in the county. Developers will also be required to submit comprehensive water management plans.
Furthermore, the ordinance addresses noise pollution, mandating that data centers not exceed 45 decibels and requiring acoustical engineers to submit compliance plans. Michelle Fuson, Latah County Director of Planning, Building and GIS, highlighted the potential for constant noise from fans and other equipment to annoy nearby residents. The regulations also include setback requirements, stipulating that data centers must be at least 500 feet from agricultural, rural, or suburban residential zones, and 1,000 feet from existing residences not owned by the applicant. Additionally, data centers will need to submit annual reports on electrical consumption and provide electrical impact studies with energy efficiency plans.