Non-profit sues MIDA, Utah lawmakers for 'unconstitutional' Box Elder data center plans
A Utah non-profit has filed a lawsuit against the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and state and county politicians to block a controversial data center project in Box Elder County. The lawsuit alleges constitutional violations, claiming unelected officials control land use and development decisions, and seeks to halt the project and remove certain officials from the MIDA Board.
Alliance for a Better Utah, a non-profit, along with five anonymous Utahns, has filed a lawsuit against the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, State Senator Jerry Stevenson, and the Box Elder County Commission. The lawsuit seeks to halt the development of a data center project in Box Elder County, alleging that the current plans for the "Stratos Project Area Plan" are unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs argue that decisions regarding land use, public health, taxation, and development for the project are being made by unelected MIDA Board officials, who are not accountable to local citizens. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Adams and Stevenson were unconstitutionally appointed to the MIDA Board due to Utah's prohibition on plural office holding by legislators.
The legal action also highlights that Box Elder County residents were unable to challenge project decisions through referendums after the county agreed to the project area. The lawsuit also makes allegations against Senate President Adams, claiming a PAC he controls received $135,000 from individuals and businesses supporting MIDA.
The plaintiffs have requested that the court permanently block MIDA and the Box Elder County Commission from advancing the Stratos Project and remove Adams and Stevenson from the MIDA Board. They also seek to compel Adams to return the funds allegedly received in connection with the project.