October 13, 2025
Idaho Water Alert!
This isn’t just happening here; it’s part of a dangerous national trend.
By: Idaho Representative Heather Scott
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is a three-member state agency appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. It regulates private utility companies that provide electricity, natural gas, water, and some telephone services in Idaho. They set rates, ensure safety, and oversee utility transactions. Any sale, transfer, or acquisition of a regulated water utility in Idaho requires prior PUC approval under state law (Idaho Code § 61-328).
The PUC is supposed to work for Idahoans, ensuring fair and reliable utility services. But recent actions by them certainly would appear they’ve aligned with a global corporate agenda, paving the way for out-of-control water rates for consumers and AI surveillance infrastructure for Idaho.
Across Idaho, small community and HOA water and sewage systems are quietly being bought up by large corporations. The motive is likely profit, rather than a commitment to serving Idahoans or safeguarding Idaho’s valuable aquatic resources.
In North Idaho, Gem State Water (a subsidiary company) recently took over:
- Spirit Lake East Water
- Lynnwood Water
- Diamond Bar Water
- Bar Circle ‘S’ Water
- Bitterroot Water
- Happy Valley Water
- Gem State Management
Gem State Water is fully owned by NW Natural Water Company, LLC, which is part of NW Natural Holdings, a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Ticker: NWN). The largest shareholders (which own significant stakes) in NW Natural Holdings include:
- BlackRock Inc.
- Vanguard Group Inc.
- State Street Corporation
These are global financial giants with enormous influence over energy and utility systems across the country. When control of Idaho’s local water systems moves from small communities to Wall Street–backed corporations, local control is all but gone and Idahoans lose their ability to be part of the decision-making process. The PUC approved these buyouts, pushing the decision making one step further from local control of their water. And rates will likely skyrocket.
It’s already happening! The Idaho PUC has already approved major rate increases, and more increases are likely to follow as decisions are made by distant corporate boards far from Idaho communities. The PUC’s current pending increase proposals include Intermountain Gas’s 11.46% and Rocky Mountain Power’s phased in 26.8% hike (starting 17.9% in 2025). Rates are rising, local voices are being drowned out, and control of a critical resource is slipping away from the people who live here.
Water is essential for cooling the immense heat produced by the powerful computer servers that operate in large data centers. Idaho currently has 10 large data centers and there are 5 more planned to be built in the next 3 years. As cloud computing, AI, and big finance tighten their grip on Idaho’s essential systems, the time for citizens to draw a line in the sand is now, not in 3-5 years.
Distant corporations may set agendas, but it’s state executive leaders who hand them the keys or stand in the gap and say “heck no!”. Idaho needs leaders who can devise a plan that is built by the people, not brokered behind closed doors. Governor Brad Little has the power to correct this and is up for reelection. If I were a citizen whose water was controlled by Gem State Water, I would be asking him why he hasn’t put an end this at every one of his campaign tour stops.
Idaho is a sovereign state and needs a plan to keep the control of our water, power, and data where it belongs: with Idahoans. Idaho doesn’t need weak kneed leaders who turn a blind eye and offer a hand shake behind the back. The 2026 elections can put Idaho on a better path or keep us heading down this one-way dead end. Thank you for paying attention and getting involved!
