Boise Mayor Lauren McLean has proposed a moratorium on large-scale data centre developments within Idaho city, citing concerns over their demands on electricity, water and land, as well as noise, heat and emissions.
The proposed emergency ordinance would temporarily prohibit new data centre developments measuring more than 100,000 sqft or requiring more than 20 megawatts (MW) of power within Boise city limits.
The proposal is due to go before Boise City Council on 10 November, when councillors will hold a public hearing and consider the restrictions.
If approved, the moratorium would take effect immediately.
In a memorandum to the council, Boise Municipal Attorney Ed Jewell said large data centres can have greater environmental and community impacts than other types of development.
He highlighted their substantial electricity and water requirements, continuous noise and heat emissions, need for large backup power generation systems and potential disruption to local transport networks.
McLean said the proposal was intended to protect the city's natural resources in the absence of a statewide moratorium on large data centre developments.
“These mega data centres don't belong anywhere in Idaho, and in the absence of a state-wide moratorium, I'm pulling the emergency brake to protect Boiseans and our precious natural resources.
Any growth in Boise has to align with our city's values, and I'm drawing a line against unchecked mega data centre development and making it clear where Boise stands, she said.
Existing data centre developments unaffected
According to the City of Boise, there are currently no applications for mega data centres within the city.
The proposed restrictions would not affect developments that received planning permission before the moratorium.
This includes an expansion by ValorC3 Data Centers, which is developing an additional 31,000 sqft alongside its existing 38,000 sqft facility on Emerald Street, near Boise City Hall West.
The combined facilities have a power demand of 12MW, below the proposed 20MW threshold.
The proposal comes amid growing scrutiny of large-scale data centre developments across Idaho, including a proposed 4 million sqft facility on Bureau of Land Management land along the Ada County and Elmore County boundary.
In Pocatello, a separate large-scale data centre proposal has been rejected by the city, although the applicant's legal representatives have indicated that the decision could face a court challenge.
Energy demand under scrutiny
The proposed restrictions also come as Boise supports the expansion of semiconductor manufacturer Micron Technology's operations in the city.
According to documentation submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Micron's electricity requirements are expected to increase from 20MW earlier in 2026 to 495MW by 2030, representing an additional 465MW of demand.
McLean has distinguished the semiconductor manufacturer's expansion from the proposed data centre developments, pointing to its investment in the local economy and the permanent employment opportunities it is expected to create.
If approved, the emergency moratorium would remain in place for up to 182 days under Idaho state law.
This would allows local authorities to introduce temporary development restrictions in response to concerns about public health, safety or welfare.
The proposed pause would give Boise officials time to examine the potential impacts of large-scale data centres and consider whether additional planning and regulatory measures are required.
