Box Elder County imposes 180-day moratorium on new data centers... with a catch
The Box Elder County Commission has approved a 180-day moratorium on new data centers in response to public outcry over the proposed Stratos Project. However, the Stratos Project itself is exempt from the moratorium due to its oversight by the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA). The county plans to use this period to develop specific regulations for future technology projects.
The Box Elder County Commission approved a 180-day moratorium on new data centers following months of public outcry, particularly concerning the proposed Stratos Project. The commission's vote on Wednesday aims to provide time for the county to research and develop comprehensive regulations for future technology projects, acknowledging that current Land Use Management & Development Codes lack specific provisions for data centers and their associated power infrastructure.
Despite the newly enacted moratorium, the controversial Stratos Project is exempt. According to the county, MIDA projects are not subject to standard local land use approval processes, and under state law, the Military Installation Development Authority now governs the project, meaning it remains on track for development.
Residents expressed mixed reactions to the commission's decision. Aurellia Sanders described the moratorium as "too little, too late," feeling it was like "pushing the barn door closed after the horses are out." Longtime resident Shane Jenkins acknowledged the difficulty of the commission's decisions but expressed his disapproval of compromises, stating, "voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil!" The county reinforced that its commissioners did not approve the data center, but the public uproar helped identify gaps in existing codes.