Why data centers are increasingly moving into rural Utah communities
Creekstone Energy and Joule are developing large data center projects in Millard County, including Creekstone's planned 10-gigawatt campus near Delta. Supporters cite jobs, tax revenue and economic growth, while residents raise concerns about the projects' water use, energy demands, environmental effects and impact on rural life.
Creekstone Energy is planning what it describes as the world’s largest data center campus on more than 10,000 acres near Delta in Millard County, with potential power demand exceeding 10 gigawatts. The company says it expects to create 106 permanent jobs and plans to use closed-loop cooling, develop onsite water-generation technology with the University of Utah, and provide power through natural gas and solar resources.
The projects, including a separate development by Joule, have divided local residents. Supporters such as Fillmore City Councilman Dennis Alldredge and Millard County Commissioner Bill Wright see the developments as a source of jobs, tax revenue and lower property taxes, while opponents including resident Brenna Williams warn that the projects could consume scarce water, increase electricity demand and damage the rural environment. Surveys cited in the report show substantial Utah public opposition to new data centers and strong concern about their water consumption.