1 data center project in Pocatello City
Who decides here: the City Council of Pocatello City votes on zoning. The Bannock County may review big projects too.
In Pocatello City
Local votes and rules
✋ Turned down
On a request to reconsider, the city council voted 3-2 to again deny Lex Developments' permit for an AI data center at the old Hoku plant (1800 River Park Way). The council dropped the usual 12-month wait, so the company can apply again right away. The decision became final Oct. 1, 2026. The company then had 28 days to ask a court to review it.
✋ Turned down
The city council voted 4-1 to uphold the hearing examiner's denial of the Lex Developments AI data center at the old Hoku plant. The developer had argued the project did not need a special permit. The council said city code was written before AI data centers and should be updated.
✋ Turned down
After a May 14 public hearing where most of the 90+ speakers were against it, the city's hearing examiner denied a special permit (conditional use permit) for a $2.6 billion AI data center at the old Hoku plant. She said the developer had not shown it would not harm the public, and asked for studies on power, water, wastewater and air before any new try. The developer appealed on June 1.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Pocatello City. - Go to council meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Idaho Power Co. (company).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Idaho.
🙋 Open tasks here
- Did Lex Developments file a lawsuit in 6th District Court by the late-October deadline?
- Which company would have used the data center?