Lawmaker introduces bill to review Utah data centers

A Utah state lawmaker, Rep. Doug Owens (D-Millcreek), has introduced a bill ahead of the 2027 legislative session that would mandate environmental assessments for all proposed data center projects within the state. Rep. Owens expressed concerns that Utah's current permitting processes for data centers are inadequate, failing to thoroughly evaluate impacts on water, air, light pollution, and wildlife. The lawmaker cited a controversial data center proposal in Box Elder County, which has drawn over 2,300 protest filings concerning its water application, as a key reason for the necessity of his legislation. He emphasized the need to address potential impacts on human health, water resources, and dust levels, particularly in the context of efforts to preserve the Great Salt Lake. This proposed bill builds on previous legislative efforts; during the current year, Rep. Jill Koford (R-Ogden) sponsored a bill, championed by environmental groups, that requires data centers to publicly disclose their water usage. Owens' bill seeks to expand on these efforts by introducing a proactive environmental review for new projects.