Utah Residents Protest Box Elder County Data Center Project
Protesters in St. George voiced concerns about a proposed AI data center in Box Elder County, Utah, highlighting issues with water and energy use, and a lack of transparency. The project faces growing opposition, with Box Elder residents initiating a signature-gathering campaign for a potential referendum.
Residents gathered in St. George, Utah, to protest a proposed AI data center project in Box Elder County, raising concerns about its water and energy consumption, as well as a perceived lack of transparency in its development. Approximately 20 demonstrators assembled along Bluff Street on Thursday to voice their opposition. Among them was Emily McBride, who emphasized that the issue is not partisan but rather a conflict between "billionaires against the people" and their resources.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, who owns ranch land in Box Elder County, addressed the controversy during a luncheon in Washington County. He pushed back against critics but acknowledged the validity of concerns, stating that fair questions are being asked and that studies are needed to make informed decisions based on accurate information, not "hyperbole." The Strata's data center project continues to be a contentious issue, with Box Elder residents actively collecting signatures for a potential referendum.