Idaho urged to develop data center policies after Pocatello denial
A large data center project in Pocatello, Idaho, was denied a conditional use permit by the City Council following significant public opposition regarding its power and water consumption. An opinion piece argues that Idaho needs to implement proactive policies to ensure data centers provide benefits to local communities, addressing environmental and economic concerns. The article highlights the need for state-level regulations on power rates, water usage, and community contributions.
The Pocatello City Council on July 16 upheld a hearing officer's decision to deny a conditional use permit for a massive $2.6 billion data center project spanning 59 acres. The proposed facility included seven 100,000-square-foot buildings and was projected to consume 100 megawatts of power annually, equivalent to the entire city's current power needs. The decision followed intense public opposition, with hundreds attending hearings and over 90 individuals testifying against the project.
In an opinion piece for The Lewiston Tribune, attorney Steven L. Taggart argues that Idaho must proactively establish policies to ensure data center developments provide tangible benefits to local communities. Citing the Pocatello denial and similar disputes across the U.S., Taggart highlights concerns over data centers' high water and power consumption, land use, and tax breaks.
Taggart advocates for several measures: requiring data centers to not increase existing power rates for other users, mandating closed-loop water systems like the one proposed for Pocatello (which required a one-time fill of 300,000-350,000 gallons with only 5% annual loss, despite entitlement to 1 million gallons/day), and ensuring direct, ongoing community benefits such as preserving open space, funding schools, or contributing to civic improvements. He notes that the Idaho Legislature already has protections regarding power rates for data centers.