Clearfield leaders OK 180-day moratorium on data center development
Clearfield, Utah, leaders approved a 180-day moratorium on data center development to study whether special guidelines are needed for them. This decision aligns with similar actions taken by other Utah communities, driven by concerns over environmental impact, water usage, and noise. The moratorium provides time for the city to establish permanent regulations before any specific proposals emerge.
Clearfield City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center development on Tuesday, joining Logan, Iron County, and Box Elder County in Utah. The temporary ban allows city officials to study the land use and infrastructure characteristics of data centers and establish specific guidelines, as Clearfield's current code lacks definitions or zoning classifications for such facilities. Mayor Mark Shepherd emphasized the importance of examining emerging industries' potential impact on city resources and regulations.
This proactive measure by Clearfield is a response to the intense statewide debate surrounding the proposed Stratos data center in Box Elder County. Critics of data centers often cite concerns about high water consumption for cooling, increased electrical demand potentially affecting power rates, noise pollution, and environmental impacts from associated power plants, such as the natural-gas-fired one planned for Stratos. Clearfield city planner Tyson Stoddard noted that while no specific data center proposal is currently in the works for Clearfield, the moratorium aims to address potential issues proactively.
The controversial Stratos project in Box Elder County, spearheaded by Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, involves a 20,000-acre complex requiring up to 9.5 gigawatts of power. Despite proponents highlighting economic benefits and national security, local residents and critics have pressed for a vote to halt the project, leading to a pending lawsuit. State officials are also developing statewide regulations for data centers, and Clearfield anticipates adapting its future standards to align with these broader guidelines.