Utah Senate president’s primary could hinge on massive data center project
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is facing criticism from Republican primary challengers over his support for the massive Stratos data center project in Box Elder County. Opponents are raising concerns about the project's environmental impact and the Military Installation Development Authority's role in approving special zoning and tax benefits. A group of voters has filed an appeal in court after their referendum to overturn the project's approval was deemed illegal by the county attorney.
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is facing intense scrutiny from Republican primary challengers Stephanie Hollist and Braden Hess regarding his involvement in the controversial Stratos data center project in Box Elder County. The project, initially planned for 40,000 acres in Hansel Valley, has become widely unpopular among Utahns due to environmental concerns, particularly its potential impact on aquifers and water management.
Hollist and Hess criticized Adams for his role as chair of the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), an entity they argue has become too powerful and overrides local land-use decisions. They highlighted that MIDA approved a special zoning agreement and reduced an energy tax benefit from 6% to 0.5% for the Stratos Project. Adams defended MIDA as an extension of local government essential for supporting projects tied to Hill Air Force Base and crucial for Utah's energy resilience.
The debate also touched upon a legal challenge to the project's approval. After the Box Elder County Commission unanimously approved the data center, a group of voters sought a referendum to overturn the decision. Following the Box Elder County Attorney's denial of the referendum's legality, the group filed an appeal in Utah’s 1st District Court, indicating ongoing public and legal opposition to the project.