Water rights paperwork tied to Box Elder data center withdrawn after heavy protest

Bar H Ranch, the owner of water rights associated with the proposed Stratos Project data center in Box Elder County, Utah, has withdrawn its application with the Utah Division of Water Rights. This decision came after more than 3,700 protests were filed against the application, which sought to change the water use from agricultural to industrial for a natural-gas-fueled power plant intended for the data center complex. A smaller portion of the water was also designated for the cooling system. A consultant for Bar H Ranch stated that the company remains committed to the project and plans to resubmit the application with additional supporting information in a timely manner, indicating their intention to work collaboratively through the process. Deeda Seed, a campaigner with the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the withdrawal, suggesting it is a strategy by developers to erase existing public comments and protests, as the $15 filing fees and submitted objections will not transfer to any future applications. Seed highlighted the rapid and bipartisan outrage against the proposed data center, describing the level of opposition energy as unprecedented in her organizing experience.