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Commissioners, planning staff flag questions about data‑center and solar‑farm ordinances and electric capacity
Summary
Planning staff presented draft ordinances for solar farms and data centers; commissioners raised concerns about regulatory gaps, electric capacity, cooling water handling and environmental safeguards, and scheduled Idaho Power to speak at a future meeting.
Bridget Felmley, Planning and Zoning Administrator, told the Board on July 6 that she presented draft ordinances for solar farms and data centers and scheduled Planning & Zoning hearings for July 21–22, including a July 22 hearing on the ordinances.
Commissioner Gordon Wilkerson raised multiple concerns about data centers and the proposed regulations. Wilkerson said a federal official named in the record had indicated the federal government "is not going to put any regulations" toward data centers and questioned whether existing EPA protections or state rules would apply to local approvals. Wilkerson argued the county should consider local controls if federal action is absent.
Wilkerson and other commissioners discussed electricity demand and cooling. Wilkerson noted a 25‑megawatt figure in the draft ordinance and said, by his calculation, that could serve roughly 17,500 homes and tens of thousands of residents; he contrasted that with a Kuna data center referenced in the record at about 200 megawatts. Commissioner Jim Harberd said Idaho Power has indicated its system is already at capacity, and Commissioner Nate Marvin suggested Idaho Power be asked to address capacity and cooling questions. Felmley said an Idaho Power representative is scheduled to appear next Monday and said commissioners could raise those questions then.
Commissioners also discussed cooling systems: Wilkerson expressed concern that closed‑loop cooling or reservoirs used for heat dissipation can accumulate contaminants and said any containment reservoirs should be lined and discharged only after required treatment. Commissioner Harberd raised the risk of a liner failure that could affect groundwater or the Weiser River. Marvin asked clarifying questions including what "cryptocurrency mining" entails; commissioners noted such operations use concentrated computer equipment and intensive cooling.
Felmley also updated the board on refunds from a Trust fund (approximately $2,000 refunded so far) and asked to reschedule the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance for hearing in August; she noted current county code sets an ADU minimum at 600 square feet.
What’s next: Planning staff will host hearings on July 21–22; Idaho Power is scheduled to appear to discuss grid capacity and related questions during the commissioners' time at an upcoming meeting.
