Box Elder County data center foes sue to reverse decision stalling their efforts against project
Opponents of a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, have filed a lawsuit in 1st District Court to challenge the county attorney's decision. They seek to overturn the rejection of their applications for a referendum on two county resolutions that advanced the project. The lawsuit aims to uphold their constitutional right to a local referendum on the data center plans.
Opponents of the proposed Box Elder County data center have filed a lawsuit in Utah's 1st District Court, seeking to overturn a county attorney's decision that blocked their efforts to force a public vote on the project. Brigette Cottam and Brenna William, co-sponsors of the referendum push, stated that the legal action aims to protect their constitutional right to a local referendum.
The lawsuit targets Box Elder County Attorney Stephen Hadfield's rejection of applications to challenge two resolutions approved by Box Elder County commissioners on May 4. These resolutions were deemed "administrative actions" by Hadfield, which he argued meant they were not subject to a public referendum. The opponents contend that the Utah Constitution and state Supreme Court case law grant them the right to place such decisions before voters.
The data center project, led by Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary and O’Leary Digital, is planned for Hansel Valley and is promoted for its economic development and national security benefits, including the development of up to 9 gigawatts of power generation. Critics, however, express concerns about its potential adverse impacts on air quality, dwindling water supplies, and pressure on the Great Salt Lake, arguing the project was rushed and not adequately studied.