Utah Gov. Cox issues order to protect Great Salt Lake, air quality from data centers
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed an Executive Order to establish a statewide framework for evaluating and developing large data center projects. The order prioritizes the protection of the Great Salt Lake and utility ratepayers, following significant public backlash against the Stratos Project. This initiative aims to guide future data center development across the state, ensuring environmental and public utility considerations are met.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed an Executive Order on May 29, 2026, creating a statewide framework to guide the evaluation and development of large data center projects across Utah. The order explicitly prioritizes the protection of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) and utility ratepayers.
This executive action comes in response to immense public backlash regarding a specific initiative known as the Stratos Project. Governor Cox signed the order shortly after a Great Salt Lake Roundtable, where he met with various state, federal, philanthropic, scientific, business, and conservation leaders to discuss coordinated actions for the lake's protection.