Box Elder County Commission approves agreement for data center project, leading to public outcry

The Box Elder County Commission has unanimously approved an agreement with the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) to establish a project area for the sprawling 40,000-acre Stratos data center in Hansel Valley, Utah. This decision came despite a loud and vocal opposition campaign, with hundreds of residents gathered at the fairgrounds to protest the proposal. During the meeting, commissioners reportedly left to vote in a private room due to the crowd's noise. The commission passed two resolutions. The first established "guard rails" to protect county citizens, including limiting noise levels below 55 dB, restricting building heights, complying with dark sky regulations, and involving a local landowner on the development review committee. The second resolution formally accepted MIDA's operation within Box Elder County. Commissioner Lee Perry noted that much of the land is not zoned, limiting the county's authority over its use. Project leaders, including Casey Hill, stated that the data center has secured 13,000 acre-feet of water rights, which they claim is less than what is currently allowed for agriculture, and that the project could take a decade to complete. The Stratos project plans to generate its own power using natural gas, which developers say will not draw from the existing power grid or increase rates for residents. Phase one is expected to bring in $30 million in tax revenue, with the final phase contributing $18 million. The commissioners expressed hope that the project would be beneficial for future generations, anticipating the creation of 2,000 jobs in Box Elder County.