Data center activity in Utah
Utah combines heavy development activity with a zoning process that overwhelmingly favors projects, recording at least 152 approvals against only five denials. Opposition is frequent but usually loses, with at least 71 projects approved despite pushback compared with five blocked. The state has seen at least 43 moratoriums enacted and at least 66 lawsuits filed, which represent real friction points for developers in specific localities. Still, with at least 91 companies active, Utah shows some of the strongest market confidence in the region, outpacing neighbors like Idaho and Nevada.
Utah combines heavy development activity with a zoning process that overwhelmingly favors projects, recording at least 152 approvals against only five denials. Opposition is frequent but usually loses, with at least 71 projects approved despite pushback compared with five blocked. The state has seen at least 43 moratoriums enacted and at least 66 lawsuits filed, which represent real friction points for developers in specific localities. Still, with at least 91 companies active, Utah shows some of the strongest market confidence in the region, outpacing neighbors like Idaho and Nevada.
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A bipartisan Senate bill co-authored by Sen. Mike Lee would require data centers to pay the full cost of their electricity and any grid expansions needed to serve them. Creekstone Energy, developer of the $17 billion Delta Gigasite in Millard County, supports the proposal and says its project already follows that approach.
Utah homeowners say a nearby campus with three data centers, generators and persistent noise has disrupted their quality of life and blocked views of the Oquirrh Mountains. Residents are also concerned about emissions appearing to come from the generators.
The Utah County Planning Commission approved a proposal allowing data centers and mining in designated agricultural, grazing and industrial zones after weeks of public opposition. A protester was arrested during the meeting after deputies removed her from the room; she alleges excessive force, while the Sheriff's Office says she refused to leave and assaulted a deputy.
A data center protester, Aspen Azalea, was arrested after a confrontation with a Utah County sheriff's deputy following a county planning meeting. The meeting included approval of land-use ordinance changes allowing data centers in additional zones and creating a data center overlay zone, prompting opposition from residents and the group UT for the People Not Tech Billionaires.
Aspen Azalea was arrested and allegedly thrown to the ground by a Utah County sheriff’s deputy after protesting a Planning Commission vote on data center regulations. Activists rallied at the Utah Capitol, criticizing the use of force and opposing data center development and its environmental impacts.
Protesters disrupted a Utah County planning commission meeting while opposing a proposed ordinance regulating data center development. Aspen Azalea was removed by sheriff's deputies, faces misdemeanor charges, and alleges excessive force; the Utah County Sheriff's Office disputes her account. The ordinance passed and will next be considered by the county commission.
Utah lawmakers questioned the Military Installation Development Authority about its role in advancing Kevin O'Leary's controversial Stratos data center project in Box Elder County. The project has drawn public protests and scrutiny over government transparency, the agency's mission, and its water rights application.
A protest over a newly adopted Utah County data center approval process ended with one woman arrested and two others cited after a physical altercation with sheriff's deputies. Protester Aspen Azalea alleges excessive force and a concussion, while the Sheriff's Office says she struck a deputy and resisted removal from the meeting.
A woman protesting at a Utah County Planning Commission meeting about a data center alleges that a sheriff's office deputy threw her to the ground while removing her. Video shows the protester describing pain in her jaw and face after the incident.
Three protesters were restrained or cited during a Utah County Planning Commission meeting where commissioners unanimously recommended new rules for data centers on unincorporated county land. The proposed ordinance would limit water use, require studies of noise, wells, traffic and grid impacts, and impose size and location restrictions; the Utah County Commission will decide whether to adopt it.
A protester was arrested and thrown to the ground by a Utah County sheriff’s deputy during a planning commission meeting about an ordinance governing where data centers could be built. The commission unanimously approved recommending the ordinance, which will next go to the Utah County Commission, while opponents criticized the lack of public comment and the deputy’s use of force.
A tense Utah County meeting about changes to data center planning policy ended with deputies removing a protester. Video shows an argument and physical confrontation, while the Utah County Sheriff's Office said an officer and the woman went to the ground and characterized the incident as involving the deputy being struck.
A protester was removed from a Utah County Planning Commission meeting after objecting to county ordinances related to data centers. The woman, Aspen Azalea, was arrested after an altercation with a sheriff's deputy, and authorities are reviewing the incident while she claims she suffered a concussion.
A woman was arrested and two others were cited after a confrontation with deputies at a Utah County Planning Commission meeting where commissioners considered a proposed ordinance allowing data centers in additional zones. Residents opposed the ordinance over potential water and electricity demands, while an advocacy group disputed the circumstances of the arrest.
Creekstone Energy and Joule are developing large data center projects in Millard County, including Creekstone's planned 10-gigawatt campus near Delta. Supporters cite jobs, tax revenue and economic growth, while residents raise concerns about the projects' water use, energy demands, environmental effects and impact on rural life.
Kevin O’Leary’s proposed data center project in Box Elder County has refiled an application to appropriate water for the facility. Environmental groups are preparing formal protests, but the Utah Division of Water Rights says the review is in its early stages and protests will not determine the outcome.
FOX 13 News Utah reports that data centers are increasingly being built in rural Utah communities. The report discusses potential economic benefits as well as concerns raised by local residents, but does not identify a specific project, company, or locality.
Kevin O'Leary's O'Leary Digital Utah has refiled an application seeking 1,712 acre-feet of water annually for its proposed data center project in Box Elder County. The application will be reviewed by the Utah State Engineer, while environmental and community groups are expected to renew protests against the project.
Logan officials are developing guidelines for potential data center construction after the Municipal Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on such development. Proposed rules would limit facilities to industrial zones, require a 1,000-foot buffer from residential areas, and cap their size at 8 acres and 100,000 square feet.
O’Leary Digital has submitted a new application to transfer irrigation water in Box Elder County for its proposed Stratos data center campus near Snowville. Nearly 200 Utahns have filed protests, citing concerns about water use and potential effects on the Great Salt Lake, while the developer argues the project would increase downstream flows.