Daily Digest — May 1, 2026
Utah Governor Backs Massive Box Elder County Data Center, Cites National Security
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has publicly endorsed the "Stratos Project," a proposed network of data centers and power plants spanning approximately 40,000 acres in Box Elder County. The project, led by investor Kevin O'Leary's company O'Leary Digital, envisions up to 7.5–9 gigawatts of power generation, primarily from natural gas — a figure multiple outlets note would exceed Utah's current statewide electricity consumption, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Governor Cox framed the development as a national security imperative, comparing the current competition in computational capacity to the Cold War arms race. "We've let the people against virtually everything destroy our country, destroy our industrial base... because we can't build anything in this country anymore, and those days are over," Cox stated, as reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. He pushed back on criticism that the approval process has been rushed, expressing frustration with prolonged deliberation timelines.
The proposal has generated significant local opposition. Residents have raised concerns about:
- Extensive water requirements for cooling facilities and potential impacts on the Great Salt Lake
- Air quality and emissions from natural gas power generation
- The rapid pace of the approval process and limited public comment opportunities
- The project's massive scale, covering approximately 62 square miles
Governor Cox disputed water usage concerns, stating that modern data centers are more efficient than critics suggest and that the project would reallocate existing water rights rather than draw new supplies, according to KPCW. He also characterized the rural Box Elder County site as "potentially ideal" due to existing natural gas pipeline access and its distance from residential areas, as reported by Salt Lake City Weekly.
The Box Elder County Commission tabled a vote on an interlocal agreement with the Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), with commissioners expressing frustration over being excluded from earlier planning discussions, according to KSL News. A public meeting is scheduled for May 4 at the Box Elder Fairgrounds, as reported by KUTV 2 News. The commission is slated to vote on MIDA's plans at a special meeting that same day, per KPCW.
Cox backs Box Elder County data center proposal, in part, due to national security factors
KSL News
Cox: ‘We have an obligation’ to support data center development
KPCW
Utah governor on the 'rushed' data center project
The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Governor Spencer Cox addresses opposition to Box Elder County data center
Salt Lake City Weekly
Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Data Center in Box Elder County, Utah
KUTV 2 News Salt Lake City
Wisconsin Rapids Postpones Data Center Public Hearing, Schedules Listening Session
The City of Wisconsin Rapids has postponed a public hearing on a conditional use permit (CUP) submitted by PCH WI Holdings LLC for a proposed data center, originally scheduled for May 4. Mayor Matt Zacher's office cited the need for additional time to review and distribute project information, as well as to schedule a public listening session, according to WSAU.
The postponement follows community informational sessions that drew significant public interest and emotion. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) hosted an "Energy in Your Township" event to educate residents on the data center's potential impact on the local energy grid and electricity rates, as reported by WAOW. MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla emphasized the importance of understanding how large data center projects affect the electricity system and rate-setting.
Mayor Zacher canceled a scheduled interview, stating that "decisions are being made in real time here and our leaders are making some changes to the plan regarding the data center proposal," according to WAOW. He emphasized the need for a transparent and equitable review process while maintaining ordinances that protect residents' quality of life, per WSAW. The CUP application may be updated or revised before it is reviewed at a future Planning Commission meeting.
Public hearing on Wisconsin Rapids data center postponed
WSAU
Wisconsin Rapids Public Hearing about Data Centers Postponed
WAOW
Another Information Session in Wisconsin Rapids over Data Center
WAOW
Wisconsin Rapids defers Monday hearing on data center to schedule listening session
WSAW
City postpones May 4 public hearing on Wisconsin Rapids data center
wisconsinrapidstribune.com
Cassville, Wisconsin Unanimously Votes to Ban Data Centers for Two Years
Residents of Cassville, Wisconsin, have unanimously voted — 44 to 0 — to enact an ordinance prohibiting data centers in the town for up to two years, effectively blocking a proposed $1 billion development from an anonymous developer. The vote took place at a special town meeting, according to Racine County Eye.
Residents cited concerns including:
- Property devaluation
- Well contamination
- Increased electricity bills
- Loss of 500 acres of the ecologically sensitive Driftless area landscape
The developer had promised 50 jobs and over $5.5 million in annual property tax revenue but declined to be publicly identified, which contributed to community apprehension, as reported by Vernon Reporter. The town's attorney, Eric Hagen, stated the new ordinance — which also prevents land use changes without town board approval — is designed to make Cassville an unattractive site for data center developers.
Ron Brisbois, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Corp., noted that the developer is also considering sites in Indiana and North Dakota. The area had drawn interest due to its proximity to the high-voltage Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line, which could supply the estimated 400–500 megawatts needed, according to Racine County Eye. Cassville's action follows similar moves in other Midwestern communities, including Port Washington, Wisconsin, which passed a referendum requiring voter approval for tax incentives for data centers.
Southeast Georgia Communities Weigh Data Center Moratoriums and Zoning Controls
Kingsland, Georgia, is expected to vote on suspending a previously approved data center ordinance and enacting a 90-day moratorium on new data center developments. City Manager Lee Spell indicated the city council will likely take up both measures, according to Tribune & Georgian. The council is set to discuss the moratorium on May 11, while the city's Planning and Zoning Board will hear a rezoning request on May 4 for agricultural land to be converted to light industrial for a potential data center site near I-95 and GA 40, as reported by First Coast News.
Environmental advocates have raised concerns about potential impacts on the St. Marys River watershed and local water resources. Emily Floore, St. Marys Riverkeeper, also highlighted that Georgia Power rate increases have subsidized energy demands of data centers, according to First Coast News.
In nearby Glynn County, voters are encountering data center-related questions on their primary ballots. The Republican Party ballot asks whether data centers would significantly lower property taxes, while the Democratic Party ballot asks whether electric bills should increase to support data center power usage. These advisory questions follow the Glynn County Board of Commissioners' April approval of new zoning ordinances requiring special use permits for data centers, as reported by First Coast News.
