Conditional use · Planning application
Idaho Power gas-fired power plant with 160-foot stacks approved
The county approved a natural gas-fired power plant and switching station on about 30 acres, with exceptions for stacks up to 160 feet (limit 80) and noise up to 75 decibels at 750 feet. Conditions cover emergency-service costs and traffic safety. Approval came May 15.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in Elmore County's record. See the official record
Idaho Power Company wants to build the Peregrine Energy Center, a natural gas-fired power plant with a switching station, on about 30 acres of a 160-acre site it owns along Simco Road in heavy industrial-zoned land in Elmore County. It also asks for two exceptions: exhaust stacks about 160 feet tall (the limit is 80 feet) and plant noise of up to 75 decibels at 750 feet (the limit is 58). This staff report was prepared for a January 22, 2026 workshop, and the commission has not yet decided the request.
Conditional Use Permit with Master Site Plan and Variances for Natural Gas-fired Power Plant and Switching Station
Project name on file: Peregrine Gas Plant
Timeline
Today
Status set to Approved
Reported as “Approved (Elmore County Board of County Commissioners)”.
May 15, 2026
Approved
Elmore County Board of County Commissioners: Approved (minutes).
May 15, 2026
Public hearing: Elmore County Board of County Commissioners
April 2, 2026
Public hearing: Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission
Jan. 22, 2026
Workshop: Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission
Sept. 12, 2025
Application filed
Documents
Staff reports
- Download Staff report for conditional use permit with master site plan and variances
Elmore County planning staff report for Idaho Power's proposed Peregrine natural gas power plant and switching station, covering the permit, master site plan and two height-related variances for an April 2, 2026 hearing.
March 29, 2026 · 32 pages · 355 KB · Staff Report
- Download Staff report for public workshop on power plant conditional use permit
County staff report for the Jan. 22, 2026 workshop on Idaho Power's natural gas plant and switching station, covering a conditional use permit, master site plan and two variances.
Jan. 19, 2026 · 17 pages · 320 KB · Staff Report
Notices
- Download Neighborhood meeting notification list of property owners
Mailing list of 277 property owners notified of the neighborhood meeting for this conditional use permit, with owner names, mailing addresses and parcel details.
Jan. 19, 2026 · 132 pages · 22.2 MB · Exhibits
Other documents
- Download Conditional use permit application for Simco Road power facility
Elmore County conditional use permit application filed by Idaho Power Company, with applicant details, property legal description, zoning and directions to the site.
March 29, 2026 · 459 pages · 68.2 MB · Exhibits