‘I do not want this in my community’: Southern Utahns confront proposed data center

Residents of Iron County, Utah, gathered for an open house in Cedar City to confront plans for the proposed Red Butte energy campus and data center. For nearly four hours, community members expressed significant opposition and raised a multitude of concerns regarding the project's potential impact on the area. The primary issues highlighted by residents included the intensive water demands of data centers, the potential for increased noise pollution in the community, and the significant energy consumption associated with such a facility. The passionate turnout and extended discussion underscore a strong local sentiment against the development. The open house, held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, served as a platform for residents to question and challenge the proposed data center, indicating ongoing community engagement and potential future actions against the project.