Residents Oppose Proposed Data Center in Iron County

Residents of Iron County, Utah, packed Festival Hall in Cedar City to voice strong opposition against a proposed 650-acre "Antelope Data Center." Despite the project not being officially on the planning commission meeting's agenda, nearly 75 people used the public comment period to speak out, expressing concerns about its potential impact. The proposed data center represents a $30 billion investment, featuring over 1.3 million square feet of infrastructure and requiring up to 1.5 gigawatts of power. While supporters suggest the project could bring significant economic development and an estimated 670 jobs, residents like Jillian Hernandez are vehemently against it. The primary worries among residents center on the project's substantial water and energy usage, as well as its potential effects on air quality. Officials clarified that the project was not on the agenda because the developers had not yet submitted or complied with necessary conditions. They anticipate the project could be up for discussion as early as June, with the planning department having already reviewed over 500 emails regarding the proposal.