Salt Lake County Council District 1: Jiro Johnson faces off against Casey Poe
Salt Lake County Council candidates Jiro Johnson and Casey Poe outlined differing views on data center development in a voter guide. Johnson expressed skepticism and called for renewable energy, no net water use and community protections, while Poe said he supports a moratorium until the county adopts standards addressing water and energy impacts.
Salt Lake County Council member Jiro Johnson and challenger Casey Poe are competing in the 2026 District 1 general election, which covers most of Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake and part of West Valley City. The Salt Lake Tribune voter guide included their positions on affordability, government transparency, water scarcity and data centers.
Johnson said data centers should not undermine residents’ rights and should operate entirely on renewable energy, use no net water and require union labor. Poe said he supports a moratorium while the county develops standards focused on data centers’ water and energy impacts, citing Utah’s arid climate and ongoing drought concerns.