Cedar City-area data center clears major hurdle amid statewide debate
The Iron County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Antelope Data Center project near Cedar City, Utah, clearing a major hurdle for the development. This local approval comes amidst a broader statewide debate on data center growth, with concerns raised about water use and electrical infrastructure. Governor Spencer Cox also signed an executive order establishing a statewide framework for evaluating future data center developments.
The Iron County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Antelope Data Center, a proposed development northwest of Cedar City, Utah, on June 4. This decision marks a significant step towards construction for the project, which plans for five data center buildings across 640 acres and includes on-site power generation.
The approval occurred shortly after Governor Spencer Cox signed Executive Order 2026-03, establishing a statewide framework for evaluating large-scale data center developments. This order mandates consideration of factors such as water availability, electrical infrastructure, environmental impacts, and public input, reflecting a broader statewide debate on data center growth.
The Antelope project has attracted considerable public attention, with both supporters highlighting potential job creation and private investment, and opponents voicing concerns over water usage, air quality, electrical grid strain, and the long-term impacts of industrial development in a rural area. While the planning commission's approval is a milestone, the project still requires additional permits and regulatory clearances before construction can commence.