FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2026
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reaffirm opposition to proposed AI data center in Pocatello
By OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FORT HALL – After reviewing public records, project materials, and testimony presented during the city’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) hearing, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reaffirm their opposition to a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data center at the former Hoku site in Pocatello citing concerns over the developer’s failure to submit sufficient information for review to address concerns over likely increases to electricity rates, impacts to water resources, and environmental impacts.
Ahead of the Pocatello City Council’s July 16 appeal hearing, the following is an official statement from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes:
“Since time immemorial, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) have carried the responsibility to care for the land, waters, and environment. This commitment extends from the current Fort Hall Indian Reservation boundaries to the Tribes’ ceded lands and historical homelands where our people continue to live, exercise Treaty Rights, practice culture and traditions, and maintain spiritual connections to the land. The Tribes are deeply concerned about the potential impacts of an additional data center in Pocatello City and re-affirm its opposition to constructing a data center within its ceded lands.
The Tribes reviewed records received on June 15, 2026, via a public records request, available records online, and public testimony. After analysis, the Tribes wholeheartedly agree with Pocatello City’s Hearing Examiner’s determination that the developer, “…failed to provide sufficient information necessary for meaningful review…” to justify the approval of a CUP at the former Hoku site. The developer failed to adequately deliver project requirements that could have been identified using data from existing AI data centers or by developing assumptions based off the project’s conceptual size or scope to enable informed decisions. Therefore, insufficient information is available to assess how an AI data center project would address electricity rates, water, and the environment to justify a CUP.
Electricity Rates – The Tribes are deeply concerned that a data center would increase electricity rates for Tribal members. Yes, House Bill (HB) 395 passed in 2025 and HB 911 passed in 2026 require the developer to pay for all power infrastructure costs. Also, the resultant rise in power usage cannot increase the surrounding communities’ power bills. However, it is unlikely that HB 911 is enforceable.
Testimony during the May 14, 2026, public hearing implied that Idaho Power cannot provide sufficient electricity in the near term for the project. With limited supply and higher demand, electricity prices will likely increase despite the statute. To support this statement, Idaho Power’s 2025 General Rate Case cites various factors, including rapid growth, to justify requests to raise electricity rates. Additionally, its 2026 annual Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) considers how much it costs the utility to produce or purchase electricity. Increased power demand due to growth, combined with limited supply that necessitates purchasing additional electricity, likely will lead to unavoidable increased electricity rates for existing customers.
Water Resources – The Tribes acknowledge that HB 895 passed in 2026 prohibits new data centers from using water for cooling as a consumptive use unless available from a municipality. Additionally, AI Data center cooling requirements have rendered traditional cooling methods that use significant amounts of water obsolete. However, the developer failed to satisfactorily express projected water requirements for a liquid cooling system and did not address water consumption for on-site power generation. Defining water requirements using existing data centers or reasonable assumptions as models is imperative.Written information cites potential water savings, but when questioned by the Hearing Examiner about water needs, the developer simply responded, “…we are not going to use more than four to five houses worth of water…” His speculative response left the Tribes with more questions than answers.
Additionally, although materials identified water source options, they lacked details about what chemicals or additives are used in a liquid cooling system. With the Portneuf River immediately west of the property, a leak in the cooling system or malfunction could lead to further contamination of the river. To echo Tribal Land Use Commissioner Casper Appenay’s testimony at the hearing, “…nothing is guaranteed, you can’t hold the water back forever…” Water requirements and chemical hazards must be clearly considered in decisions.
Environmental Concerns – In addition to potential adverse effects on the Portneuf River, a host of environmental concerns exist including the impacts from construction, pollution from gas-fueled generators and the associated water use, heat release and dissipation in the surrounding ecosystem, wastewater, runoff, etc. The project cannot move forward without the city deliberately ensuring that local, state, and federal environmental reviews are completed and standards are met.
Environmental impacts outside the area must also be considered. As stewards of the environment, the Tribes support decommissioning coal or other fossil fuel-fired power plants. The Power Plants and Neighboring Communitieswebsite maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency highlights that their impacts on the environment can be felt both locally and downwind. Further, as per a Yale Environment 360 article, plans to decommission coal-fired power plants are being delayed so that the grid can meet AI data center needs. Undoubtably, additional power would be purchased that would further justify extending the life of power plants that burn fossil fuels. These power plants also continue to use substantial quantities of water adding additional stress on water supplies.
Conclusion – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes support responsible and sustainable economic development that respects the environment, protects cultural resources, and upholds Tribal sovereignty. Economic interests must never come at the expense of the people, lands and waters. The Tribes will always advocate for data-driven decision-making and environmental stewardship to protect current and future generations.