Here are the recent wins and losses for the anti-data center movement in Utah
A second water rights application for a large data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, was withdrawn, though nearly 700 protests against it will not carry over. Box Elder County officials also rejected two referendum applications aimed at putting the project's fate to a public vote. Meanwhile, Iron County commissioners have enacted a six-month moratorium on data center applications to review and potentially change county regulations.
Efforts against proposed data centers in Utah have seen mixed results recently, impacting projects in Box Elder and Iron Counties. The Utah State Engineer confirmed the withdrawal of a second water rights application for a massive data center project in Box Elder County, submitted by Murray Hollow L.C., following a similar withdrawal by Bar H Ranch. All formal protests against these applications, totaling nearly 700 for the second one, will not carry over.
Simultaneously, Box Elder County officials rejected two referendum applications that sought to allow voters to decide the fate of the data center project. Box Elder County Attorney Stephan R. Hafield stated that the resolutions in question were administrative rather than legislative, making them ineligible for a referendum. This decision allows the project, reportedly backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, to proceed without a public vote.
In a different development, Iron County commissioners unanimously voted to pause all new data center applications for six months. This moratorium was enacted to provide the county with time to consider modifications to existing regulations, particularly in response to significant public concerns about a data center application near Cedar City. This pause indicates a more cautious approach to data center development compared to Box Elder County's stance.