Iron County, Utah, approves data center regulations and repeals moratorium
Iron County commissioners approved new regulations for data centers, including water-impact reviews for facilities using more than 50,000 gallons per day and new buffers between power plants and sensitive areas. The commission also repealed the county’s 180-day moratorium on new data centers, while residents and Paiute tribal leaders raised concerns about water, environmental impacts and consultation.
The Iron County Commission unanimously approved new data center regulations at a meeting in Cedar City after more than an hour of public comment. The rules distinguish between facilities below and above 50 megawatts and require projects using more than 50,000 gallons of water per day to demonstrate that the additional demand will not harm the aquifer. They also establish setbacks between power plants serving data centers and sensitive receptors such as homes, schools, hospitals and care facilities, with separate standards for solar-powered plants.
The commission simultaneously repealed its 180-day moratorium on new data center permits, which had been adopted in June while the ordinance was being developed. The pause followed approval of plans for Pronghorn Development LLC’s proposed Antelope Data Center. Residents cited noise, air quality, water use and long-term environmental concerns, while Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Chairperson Laurel Yellowhorse accused the county of failing to consult the tribe about the ordinance. The new rules do not impose a hard cap on data center water use.