Irvine-based company seeks major power upgrade for data center in Pend Oreille County

A company originating in Irvine began discussions in 2024 with the Pend Oreille County Public Utility District regarding the use of infrastructure for a new data center. The project, which is planned for the former Ponderay Newsprint papermill, could eventually require 225 megawatts of electricity. The discussions involve a power study and costs for necessary system upgrades.

The proposed data center could eventually use more than seven times the electricity consumed by all other residents and small businesses in Pend Oreille County combined. The project is being considered at a site that previously eliminated 140 jobs when the papermill went bankrupt in 2020.