Residents push Tooele County to delay data center rules over water, power concerns
Tooele County residents, organized by TooeleCARES, are urging county officials to delay or reject proposed data center rules, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand, emissions, air quality and emergency infrastructure. More than 800 people signed a letter ahead of a Planning Commission meeting, while organizers also called for a statewide moratorium on data center development in Utah.
More than 800 Tooele County residents signed a letter asking the Tooele County Planning Commission and County Council not to approve Chapter 34, a proposed ordinance governing data centers, until questions about water, electricity, air quality, public health and emergency response are addressed. The group planned a rally before the commission meeting and asked officials to table the ordinance and a related infrastructure district proposal.
Amy Lawson of TooeleCARES said residents believe a data center application could be ready for filing if Chapter 34 is approved, although county officials have said no official application has been submitted. Lawson also said the group is working with Utah Versus Tech Billionaires to seek a temporary statewide moratorium while the impacts and regulatory safeguards are studied.