Box Elder County poll finds that large majority, 71% of respondents, oppose data center plans

A recent poll conducted for Stewardship Utah and Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR) indicates widespread opposition to a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah. The poll, carried out by Change Research among 513 registered voters, found that 71% of respondents oppose the data center plans, and 74% disapprove of the approval process, which proceeded without a public vote.

David Garbett, co-director of Stewardship Utah, expressed surprise at the extent of the opposition, noting that 69% of respondents would sign a petition to create a ballot question challenging the County Commission's actions. Concerns cited include the project's impact on water availability and air quality, as well as the tax incentives granted to O'Leary Digital, the company behind the data center.

The long-range proposal, spearheaded by Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, initially encompassed 40,000 acres but was scaled back to 20,000 acres in response to pressure. The Military Installation Development Authority approved a partnership with O'Leary Digital on April 24, followed by Box Elder County commissioners' approval of two resolutions on May 4 to allow the project to proceed. However, the commissioners stated they felt limited in their say due to the MIDA's earlier action.

In response to public outcry, Box Elder County commissioners are set to consider implementing a six-month moratorium on new data center proposals. This pause would allow the county to research, develop, and implement updated land use codes and strict development standards for future projects, though these would not apply to the existing O'Leary Digital proposal. Meanwhile, BEAR has sued Box Elder County, seeking to reverse the county's determination that the May 4 resolutions cannot be challenged via a public referendum.