News & Updates
Stay current on the fight to protect Idaho's environment from unchecked data center expansion.
Ada County Planning Commission Meets June 18 — Attend & Speak
A 200MW hyperscale facility has been fast-tracked for review without full environmental impact assessment. We need voices at the hearing. This project would consume over 600 million gallons of water annually and draw enough power to serve 160,000 homes.
Idaho HB 742 Would Exempt Data Centers from Water Impact Review
New legislation moving through the House would carve out data centers from the Water Resources Act's environmental review provisions. The bill is backed by a coalition of tech industry lobbyists. Here's what it means and how to oppose it before the floor vote.
New Study: Snake River Aquifer Could Be Depleted by 2041 Under Current Projections
University of Idaho researchers modeled 30-year aquifer depletion scenarios including tech sector growth. The results show the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer dropping below sustainable yield thresholds within 15 years if data center expansion continues unchecked.
Community Town Hall: What AI Infrastructure Means for the Treasure Valley
Join us at the Boise Public Library Main Branch on June 24 at 6:30 PM. Featuring a panel with water rights attorneys, conservation biologists, and local farmers. Free and open to the public.
Boise City Council Votes 5-2 to Pause New Data Center Permits Pending Review
In a landmark vote, Boise's City Council approved a 6-month pause on new data center building permits while the Planning Department develops updated impact standards. ProtectIdaho members who testified helped shift the vote.
Model Ordinance: Environmental Protection Standards for Hyperscale Data Centers
Our policy team has published a model ordinance that any Idaho municipality can adapt. It includes mandatory EIS requirements, water withdrawal caps, renewable energy mandates, and community benefit agreement templates.