Utahns speak out as yet another data center is planned near the Great Salt Lake
Dozens of Utahns attended a public hearing to oppose a water discharge permit for a planned 500-megawatt data center and truck stop project in the Tooele Valley. The project, supported by the Utah Inland Port Authority, is located near the Great Salt Lake and is facing community concerns regarding its environmental impact.
Dozens of Utah residents expressed strong opposition at a public hearing regarding a proposed water discharge permit for a new inland port and 500-megawatt data center project in the Tooele Valley. The hearing was hosted by the Division of Water Quality on July 27, 2026.
The controversial project, which also includes a truck stop, is supported by the Utah Inland Port Authority. Community members voiced concerns over the environmental impact of the development, particularly its proximity to the Great Salt Lake and the implications of its water discharge. The public turnout underscores significant local resistance to the data center expansion in the region.