OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Water Commission will hear an informational presentation on permitting and zoning considerations for artificial intelligence data centers during its regular meeting Wednesday.

The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 25 County Center Drive, Suite 205, in Oroville.

The county issued a statement Monday clarifying that no AI data center project is currently under consideration. 

"Butte County has not received an application or development proposal for an AI data center," the statement said. "This agenda item is educational in nature and is intended to help commissioners better understand a topic receiving increased national attention. It should not be interpreted as an indication that a data center project is being proposed or considered for approval in Butte County."

Paula Daneluk, director of Butte County's Development Services Department, is scheduled to present information on permitting and zoning considerations for AI data centers. The presentation will also include an overview of how AI data centers can affect water usage. The county said the Water Commission requested the discussion to better understand the county's review process should a proposal ever be submitted.

The county also noted that current zoning ordinances do not permit data centers in unincorporated areas of Butte County.

The commission will also receive presentations and discuss Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing and the "Our Water, Their Power" website, the proposed Butte County Well Ordinance and the Butte County Drought Resilience Plan.

Members of the public may attend the meeting in person, participate remotely through Zoom or by telephone. Remote participation information at https://www.buttecounty.net/2004/Board-of-Supervisors-Meeting-Portal.

Agenda information can be found here: https://buttecoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1138/files/agenda/1855

Public comments may be made during the meeting or submitted by email to [email protected] by noon Tuesday, Aug. 4. Email comments should include the applicable agenda item number in the subject line.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 3:54 p.m. Aug. 3, 2026, to include information from a statement released by Butte County clarifying that no application or development proposal for an AI data center has been submitted and that the Water Commission agenda item is informational in nature.