Washington County advances proposal to limit data center and solar energy facility projects

The Washington County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would severely restrict where data centers and solar energy facilities can be built in the county, effectively creating what industry representatives called “an outright ban.”

Among many things, the 26-page ordinance limits both project types to industrial zones only, imposes strict operational standards on water consumption and noise levels, and requires developers to fund environmental studies, emergency response improvements and site restoration. The measure now goes to the county commissioners for final approval.

“I think it’s a happy medium,” said Christina Stanley a P&Z commission member. “They wanted a flat out ban, and I think it makes it a possibility with the restrictions in Washington County.”

Stanley was referring to months of public testimony and said the ordinance represents a significant expansion from an earlier 7-page proposal that covered only data centers. In July, the commission heard from a packed room of residents calling for bans on projects like these.

Unlike in July, only about a dozen people showed up to speak on the ordinance this time around.

RELATED: ‘We are its stewards’: Residents raise data center concerns as Washington County weighs ordinance

Industry pushes back

Representatives from Silicon Ranch, a Nashville-based solar company seeking to develop in Washington County, argued the restrictions unfairly treat solar and data centers the same despite their fundamental differences.

“Solar and data centers are fundamentally different uses,” said Madeline Brennan, a representative for the company. “One is an energy producer; one is an energy user. Utility-scale solar is not a traditional industrial use and should not be regulated as one.”

Silicon Ranch warned the restrictions would severely limit economic opportunity. The company’s proposed project would provide $18.8 million for schools over four years, $3.2 million for roads and bridges, and $2.7 million for other services, according to Lauren Kreitner, a company representative.

Silicone Ranch said the proposal leaves them almost nowhere to build.

“By the county’s own admission, there is very little land zoned D2 in the county, with the primary zoning being A1 and A2 zones,” said Aurora Sepp-Peterson during public comment. “The rezoning requirements are restrictively high and effectively amount to an outright ban.”

Supporters of industrial projects argue they could create jobs and advance technology without dependence on foreign infrastructure.

Aaron Mendenberg, Idaho policy manager for Renewable Northwest, said energy development is essential and Idaho is rapidly growing.

“More energy is needed,” Mendenberg said.

Protection over development

Frank Schwartz, a resident, praised the ordinance for its specificity and said the county need regulations sooner rather than later.

“I believe it does an excellent job of addressing necessary elements of any data center or solar farm application in the county, and clearly identifies the standards to which applications will be reviewed,” Schwartz said.

Others emphasized preservation of the county’s rural character,” Ron Lundberg, a county resident, said aesthetics are critical.

“The aesthetics, to me, are what’s important in this valley, in this county, in this state is maintaining the esthetics,” Lundberg said.

But Kurt Anderson, another resident, expressed caution about rapid development and said the commission should take more time to think about the ordinance.

“We don’t know that much about them,” Anderson said of data centers and solar facilities. “I think that we need to slow everything down and find out all the information about it.”

The county commissioners will consider the ordinance in coming weeks.