Iron County residents voice concerns over planned AI data center with officials

The Iron County Planning Commission held a hearing where residents expressed significant concerns about a proposed 650-acre artificial intelligence data center planned for the outskirts of Cedar City, Utah. Residents raised issues such as potential dark sky damage, increased electricity demands, and the substantial water consumption the facility would require in a drought-affected region. The developer, Prong Han Development, stated that the facility would use 16 acre-feet of water per year, noting that this is less than half of a typical elementary school's annual water usage.

Scott Cuthbertson, representing the developer, acknowledged the public's concerns and stated that the company is committed to due diligence and listening to community input while also considering property rights. He addressed the "misinformation" surrounding data centers, particularly regarding their water use, and mentioned efforts to reuse water. The commission has the authority to attach conditions to the project before potentially forwarding it for approval. Cuthbertson also noted the economic impact of the proposed data center, highlighting the potential loss of 200 jobs due to the closure of another area business.

The developer indicated that there is not a specific tenant for the data center yet, operating on a "build it and they will come" principle. However, they expressed encouragement from the public input, particularly in finding ways to increase water efficiency for the project. The discussion was primarily informational, with comments and concerns from the public, as the commission considers the next steps for the large-scale development.