BLM Reviews Proposal for Data Center in Twin Falls
The Bureau of Land Management is evaluating a pre-application from Copia Power for a 3,700-acre data center facility in Idaho.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Data Centers
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Should private companies be allowed to build large data centers on public land?
The Bureau of Land Management is currently reviewing a preliminary proposal from Copia Power to construct a 3,700-acre data center on public land near Twin Falls. The plan aims to capitalize on the increasing demand for computing power and AI development in the region.
Why it matters
Companies are increasingly seeking to build infrastructure on public land to accommodate the massive energy and space requirements for AI. This trend has sparked public debate, particularly as projects face scrutiny over their environmental and local footprint.
The proposed site near the Midpoint Substation covers 3,700 acres. This is part of a broader trend involving 35 projects across the Western United States covering a combined 24,000 acres.
The players
Bureau of Land Management
This federal agency manages over 245 million acres of public land and is responsible for reviewing land lease applications.
Copia Power
This private energy firm is currently pursuing 16 separate data center projects across the Western United States.
Meta
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram recently expanded its infrastructure with a new data center facility in Kuna.
President of the United States
President Donald Trump serves as the head of the executive branch and has expressed support for expanding data center construction.
Center for Western Priorities
This non-partisan research organization tracks public land management issues and large-scale industrial projects in the American West.
The details
Copia Power is working with the Shoshone Field Office to advance the proposal, which will require a notice of intent in the federal register before a public comment period can begin. The project follows the recent activation of a 750,000-square-foot Meta data center in nearby Kuna.
Timeline
May 2026: Gallup poll shows 70% of Americans oppose local data center construction.
September 2026: President Trump publicly advocates for data center construction.
September 2026: Meta activates its data center facility near Kuna.
October 2026: Center for Western Priorities identifies 35 projects in Western states.
October 26, 2026: Idaho Democrats issue a statement criticizing the proposal.
The Tech Race
The proposed Twin Falls facility represents a major expansion in the push to secure land for large-scale computing infrastructure. This trend aligns with the Center for Western Priorities data center project tracker, which monitors the increasing industrialization of public land.
The proposal will require a public comment period, providing residents with an official avenue to voice concerns regarding the project's impact on their area. While the construction aims to support AI infrastructure, residents may face considerations regarding local land use and resource allocation.
The takeaway
As developers look to public land to meet the massive spatial needs of new AI infrastructure, the balance between technological expansion and local land conservation remains a central tension. Residents are encouraged to monitor federal registry filings to ensure they participate in the public feedback process.
Further reading
For additional context on how these facilities are impacting the region, visit the Data Centers section.
Live Poll
Should private companies be allowed to build large data centers on public land?
