House Speaker Mike Schultz backs citizen referendum on Box Elder County data center project
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz is supporting a citizen referendum on a proposed 40,000-acre data center project in Box Elder County. This backing comes as the Utah State Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee voted to study the environmental impacts of data centers statewide, reflecting growing concerns. Claims have also been made that MIDA violated state law in the approval process.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz has publicly supported a citizen referendum concerning a large-scale data center project proposed for Box Elder County. Speaker Schultz, a Republican representing Hooper, emphasized the need for comprehensive studies to understand the project's potential impacts and benefits, stating that the decision ultimately rests with the local community based on accurate information. This move follows a unanimous vote by the Utah State Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee to study the environmental effects of data centers, reflecting broader statewide concerns.
The proposed 40,000-acre data center, associated with investor Kevin O'Leary, is planned for the Hansel Valley. Speaker Schultz, who owns land near the proposed site, clarified that he was not consulted prior to the project's announcement and is in the process of exchanging his property. A separate report by FOX 13 News also highlighted claims by a group alleging that the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) violated state law in its approval process for the Box Elder County data center.