How rural Utah became the front line of America’s AI data center backlash
Mona residents are opposing a 3-million-square-foot data center after the town approved its conditional use permit without notifying nearby landowners. The project’s appeal remains pending, with residents citing concerns about transparency, water consumption, and impacts on the rural community.
A proposed 3-million-square-foot data center in Mona, Utah, has become a focal point for local opposition after the Mona Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit without requiring notice to landowners within 1,000 feet. Residents organized by Mona Cares say they were unaware of the project until after approval, and an appeal filed by the coalition remains pending before Juab County officials. A public meeting became contentious, with a resident removed by police and Juab County Commission Chairman Clinton Painter saying he had received death threats related to the project.
Research from Utah State University found that opposition to data centers rises sharply when facilities are proposed near residents’ homes, driven primarily by concerns over water consumption and exclusion from local decision-making. The article also describes broader political backlash in Utah, including elected officials losing their seats after supporting data center projects. Researchers Stacia Ryder and Gina Gilson said future local elections may increasingly be shaped by data center issues, while officials and developers face pressure to address water use and public transparency. Utah has enacted measures requiring data center developers to disclose anticipated water consumption and restricting certain industrial water use in Salt Lake City.