Box Elder County data center project withdraws water rights application — for now

Bar Ranch, the company behind a controversial data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, has officially withdrawn its application for water rights. This decision comes after the Utah state engineer was preparing to review a record-breaking 4,000 protests against the application, signaling widespread opposition from community members and environmental organizations. Opponents, including DA Seed, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Great Salt Lake, had raised significant concerns regarding drought conditions, the health of the Great Salt Lake, and the need for more research from the applicant. While Bar Ranch stated its intention to resubmit the application in a timely manner with more supporting information, opponents believe the withdrawal is a strategic move to pause the process and potentially diminish public engagement. Despite this, water advocates and community members are resolute, planning to file protests again if the application is resubmitted and continuing efforts to gather sponsors for a referendum to slow down the data center's development.