Data center eyed for Jerome, Lincoln desert where Lava Ridge stalled
Copia Digital LLC is discussing a proposed data center on about 3,000 acres of public land in the Jerome and Lincoln counties desert near Shoshone, Idaho. The project remains in the pre-application stage, while local officials have raised concerns about water, electricity and the environmental review process.
Copia Digital LLC is in preliminary discussions with the Bureau of Land Management about developing its Falcon Data Center on roughly 3,000 acres of public land south of Shoshone Butte, near Notch Butte and east of Highway 93. The site is in the same Jerome and Lincoln counties desert where the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project stalled, and the proposal is at least a year away from a formal notice of intent and public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Jerome County Commissioner Ben Crouch said he personally opposes data centers in the county, citing insufficient water and electric capacity, while Lincoln County Commissioner Rebecca Wood said similar proposals are likely to continue because of the nearby Midpoint Substation. Local counties may serve as cooperating agencies in the federal review, but the Bureau of Land Management and higher-level government officials would control approval of development on the public land. Copia Digital had not responded to requests for additional information.