Citizens ready to re-file data center protests

A new Utah law, House Bill 60, intended to expedite water delivery to the Great Salt Lake, is causing concern among citizens fighting a proposed data center in Box Elder County. The law, which became effective this week, alters the criteria for state water rights engineers, preventing them from considering "detriment to public welfare" when evaluating water rights applications. This change has led to worries that developers will have an easier path to securing water rights for the data center project. Thousands of formal protests, approximately 38,000, have already been filed against the project's water rights transfer application. Residents, who cite concerns over water usage, noise, and emissions, are preparing to re-file their protests, despite a $15 fee for each. They fear the new law will hinder their ability to effectively voice opposition. The withdrawal of the initial water rights transfer application by ranch owners, just as the new law took effect, further complicates the situation for opponents. Governor Spencer Cox is also involved in broader efforts related to the Great Salt Lake's water levels.