Cache County Council enacts preemptive data center moratorium

The Cache County Council in Utah unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas of Cache Valley on June 23, enacting Ordinance 2026-32. This preemptive measure aims to allow county officials time to establish adequate land use regulations and development standards for utility-scale digital infrastructure, which are currently lacking in the county code, according to Brian Abbot, Director of County Development Services. The council's decision was influenced by the recent public backlash and political repercussions observed in neighboring Box Elder County, where commissioners approved the Stratos Project despite significant public concerns. Concerns cited include protecting local electrical grid capacity, water resources, and zoning integrity from the intensive demands of data centers. Council Chair Sandi Goodlander noted that no specific data center developer has yet approached the county. The moratorium does not apply to municipalities, though the Logan Municipal Council is also considering a similar pause.

The broader political landscape in Utah has seen significant opposition to data center developments, particularly after the Box Elder County Commissioners green-lit the Stratos Project. This led to local GOP voters unseating two commissioners and the county sheriff in the June 23 primary. Additionally, Senate President Stuart Adams, a proponent of laws allowing data centers to bypass local zoning and permitting, lost his primary bid in Davis County, reflecting strong public sentiment against unchecked data center growth and transparency issues.