Box Elder County pauses new data center applications for six months
Box Elder County, Utah, has approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications in unincorporated areas. This pause allows officials to review land-use regulations and development standards amidst public debate, particularly regarding the proposed Stratos project. The decision follows state-level executive orders prompted by concerns over water, power, and environmental impacts.
Box Elder County officials in Utah have enacted a six-month moratorium on new data center applications. Approved on June 10, the 180-day pause applies to unincorporated areas of the county and aims to allow time for officials to review existing land-use regulations and develop new standards for future data center projects.
This action stems from months of public debate and scrutiny over a proposed project known as Stratos in Box Elder County, which has raised concerns regarding water consumption, power demand, air quality, and overall community impact. The moratorium, however, does not affect projects that have already received approval, meaning the Stratos project is expected to proceed.
The county's decision aligns with broader statewide discussions, highlighted by Governor Spencer Cox's Executive Order 2026-03 in May. This order directed state agencies to intensify their evaluation of future data center developments and their potential impacts on public resources and local communities. A similar data center project is also under consideration in Iron County, indicating a growing trend of communities balancing economic growth with infrastructure and resource demands.