House State Affairs committee backs study committee on electricity to examine growing power demand

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee on an unspecified date voted to send House Concurrent Resolution 19 to the House floor with a "do pass" recommendation, approving a study committee to evaluate Idaho's electricity needs as new large loads and data-center development increase demand.

Representative Stephanie Mickelson, R‑District 32, presented the resolution and told the committee that the measure would create an opportunity "to form a committee and take a look at that so we can continue to have affordable rates here for those Idahoans who have built out the system and it's their resources." She said the step is meant to help Idaho maintain affordable power rates as new customers arrive.

The resolution's supporters described the issue as complex. Representative Justin Diggins (identified in committee as Representative Digart during the meeting record) moved to send HCR 19 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation, saying the committee was necessary because "it's a very complicated issue how we're going to sustainably grow in or to the power and how it inter intertwines with so many other issues of land use and water and everything else." The motion carried.

Members asked how the study committee would interact with existing regulatory processes. Representative Steve Hostetler asked whether forming the committee would delay or block other approvals. Mickelson replied, "With the way the rules are currently existing with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, I don't think that we would have a problem... I think we have the time to step back and to do the work that we need to do to actually look at this issue appropriately."

Committee members also pressed for details on composition. Mickelson said her understanding was that appointments would be made by legislative leadership and that the committee would include "three people from the House and three people from the Senate." Representative Alfieri and Representative Achilles said they wanted subject‑matter experts included.

The committee approved sending HCR 19 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The resolution will next appear on the House calendar for further consideration.

Details recorded in committee did not specify the study committee's final membership list, schedule, staff support, or a statutory deadline; those elements would be set later if the resolution passes on the floor.