Cox: ‘We have an obligation’ to support data center development

The Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) unveiled plans on April 24 for its largest project to date: hyperscale data centers in rural Box Elder County, Utah. The proposal has generated public controversy, with residents expressing concerns about the rapid approval process, limited opportunities for public comment, and potential environmental impacts, as reported by KPCW and The Salt Lake Tribune. During his monthly news conference on April 30, Utah Governor Spencer Cox addressed these criticisms directly. He dismissed claims about excessive water usage by modern data centers, stating that the numbers circulating are outdated and inaccurate. Governor Cox reiterated MIDA Executive Director Paul Morris's assertion that the data centers would use less water than current ranching activities, thus being a "net positive to the Great Salt Lake" by repurposing existing water allocations rather than consuming new supplies. He also assured that the facilities would comply with air quality standards. The Governor also pushed back against accusations that the project approval process was rushed, expressing frustration with bureaucratic delays in the country and arguing that expediency does not compromise safety. He cited a national security imperative as a driving force behind accelerating data center development, comparing the current competition to the Cold War nuclear arms race. The proposed data centers, backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, are projected to produce up to nine gigawatts of energy annually, a figure that The Salt Lake Tribune notes is more than double Utah's current statewide consumption. The Box Elder County Commission is slated to vote on MIDA's plans at a special meeting on May 4.