Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Stand Against Proposed AI Data Center in Pocatello

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) – As Pocatello awaits an appellate hearing on the proposed Lex Developments AI data center later this month, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have reaffirmed their opposition to the project. On July 7, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes made an official statement reaffirming their stance against the proposal, stating they agree with the Hearing Examiner's original decision to deny Lex Developments a conditional use permit (CUP).

All of the Tribe's concerns stem from what they state is, "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."

Members of the Tribal Council emphasized their responsibility to care for the environment and its reach beyond the Fort Hall Reservation. They said they continue to care about surrounding lands and are "deeply concerned" about the potential impacts of a data center in Pocatello. The Fort Hall Business Council submitted a public records request for the public hearing documents as well as the Hearing Examiner's decision, agreeing that Lex Developments failed to adequately deliver any project requirements, leaving them highly concerned about the potential environmental impacts.

"We have a responsibility to protect our lands, our water and natural resources within it," said Donna Thompson, chairwoman of the Fort Hall Business Council. "We don't know what the significant impacts of it would be for the community, not just us but overall."

Thompson said the Business Council is not opposed to development as long as it is responsible, transparent and protects natural resources.

House Bill 911 was passed earlier this year, requiring developers to pay for all power infrastructure costs, however, leaders in the Tribe are concerned this will be difficult to enforce. If not, the electricity rates could increase for Tribal members.

"They say it's not going to impact electricity costs, but if you go to different areas that currently have data centers right now, they're struggling to find electricity for their customers," Thompson stated. "For the residential people that do have them, they're paying higher costs, that information is out there and I don't think Idaho Power has the ability to predict that much power needed for such a large development."

The second major concern is water usage, even while House Bill 895 passed this year, prohibiting data centers from using a water cooling system as a consumptive process, the Fort Hall Business Council stated the developer did not define the water requirements for the proposed data center. They are also worried about the chemicals or additives that could be outputs from the data center, regarding its location near the Portneuf River. The chemical hazard directly correlates with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' mission to protect Idaho's limited water resources and the wildlife within it.

"We need clear, measurable information, not estimates. This includes water demand, cooling system operations, chemicals or additives, prevention and response plans and any water required for onsite generation," Thompson explained. "The Portneuf River is very close and we already have enough contaminants in it, we don't need more."

She added they want to keep the water clean and safe for all future generations, and the council will continue to fight for their longevity.

When asked whether the Tribes would support the project if additional information were provided, Thompson said no.

"I'll be honest, I just don't think data centers are something we want in our community, whether it's Fort Hall, Pocatello, Blackfoot, the resources that it would demand would be taken from all our communities, and I just don't think that's something we want," she said.

The Fort Hall Business Council recognizes the resources they have, including the water, land and mountains on and surrounding the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Thompson said they're grateful for the resources and will fight to keep them for their kids and grandchildren.

"We remain committed to transparency, meaningful environmental review, protection of our natural resources and upholding Tribal interests and treaty rights," she said. "We're not going to sit down, we're not going to go away. When we firmly believe in something, we will fight to the very end."