Data centers offer a rare unifying issue for Utah voters across party lines
Opposition to data centers, especially the Stratos Project in Box Elder County, Utah, has become a bipartisan issue due to concerns over environmental impact, water usage, and approval processes. This public outcry led to political consequences for local officials and prompted Governor Spencer Cox to issue an executive order for higher data center approval standards. Despite these concerns, voters still prioritize issues like affordability in the upcoming election.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence and the data centers required to power it, such as the Stratos Project in Box Elder County, have emerged as a significant and unifying political issue across Utah. Voters from both sides of the political spectrum express concerns about the environmental impacts, particularly water consumption in the arid state, and the transparency of the approval processes for these large-scale facilities.
This widespread opposition has led to tangible political repercussions. Following public outcry, Governor Spencer Cox issued an executive order in May, mandating higher standards for data center approvals. The discontent also manifested at the polls, where Box Elder County voters removed two county commissioners, and Senate President Stuart Adams lost his legislative seat in the June primary election. Governor Cox has since indicated support for new legislation to enhance oversight of the data center development process.
Voters like Shalesse Huff from Salt Lake County, Marjorie Haun-Storland from San Juan County, and Lejon Gines from Monticello articulated diverse reasons for their concerns, ranging from environmental efficiency to questions about water rights acquisition and potential mass surveillance. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, they emphasize the need for careful guidance and regulation to mitigate risks.
However, voters also agree that politicians are not adequately addressing these concerns. Democratic congressional candidate Ben McAdams, despite opposing the Stratos Project, faced criticism for his financial interest in a data center in Millard County. Ultimately, while data centers are a unifying issue, voters indicate that more pressing concerns like affordability will likely weigh more heavily on their decisions in the upcoming November election.