Lawmakers on the Utah Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee voted Wednesday morning to study impacts of data centers, amid intense debate and backla
Lawmakers on the Utah Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee voted Wednesday morning to study the impacts of data centers, amid intense debate and backlash over the Box Elder County Stratos project.
Rep. Doug Owens, D-Salt Lake County, moved to add the study to the work of the panel, calling it “timely and useful. ”The Stratos project, driven by business mogul Kevin O’Leary, has drawn criticism from both the political right and the left.
Backers of a referendum on the data center filed an application with the Box Elder County clerk to put the issue on the ballot, and Governor Cox — who once seemed dismissive of a rushed project — acknowledged concerns. O’Leary’s company released images of the proposed center with sleek designs, and the Shark Tank host has insisted the project will produce its own power and not take water from the Great Salt Lake.
A water right change application from agricultural use to industrial was filed with the state, then withdrawn. Joel Ferry, Utah Department of Natural Resources director, expects the application will be refiled. Ferry said the center would use 1,900 acre-feet of water and have a "net zero" impact on the ever-diminishing lake. Demonstrators rallied against the project at the state Capitol and in Box Elder County.
Another protest is scheduled for this coming weekend. Heavy black smoke could be seen across Salt Lake and Davis counties after a fire ignited near the Interstate 80-Interstate 215 interchange.
Crews from the Salt LA boil water order went into effect from 3200 West to Riverton’s eastern border after city workers found an illegal cross-connection between a property owner’sAs Salt Lake County urges residents to cut back on outdoor watering during the extreme drought, a patch of county-owned property in downtown Salt Lake City appeAn Eagle Mountain man is being held without bail in the Utah County Jail after prosecutors said he attacked his 14-year-old daughter, including slamming her heaA trailer flipped over in a crash on southbound I-15. Lt.
Cameron Roden, a spokesperson for Utah Highway Patrol, said a pickup truck was pulling a 37-foot camper
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rapid growth drives infrastructure boom in Utah CountyUtah County’s population boom is fueling major infrastructure projects as leaders race to keep up with rapid growth that could push the county past 1 million re
Read more »
Wayne County first in Utah to implement Stage 2 fire restrictionsAhead of what is expected to be a busy and dangerous fire season, Wayne County has become the first in Utah to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions.
Read more »
New Water Rights Application and Details Emerge for Box Elder County Data Center ProposalThe application to transfer water rights for the Box Elder County data center project includes renderings of the proposed development and a smaller water right transfer of 11 acre feet. The water right transfer would be used for power production and a closed-loop system serving the proposed data center.
Read more »
Amid backlash, O'Leary Digital CEO defends Box Elder County data center projectAmid backlash against the proposed Box Elder County data center, the head of O'Leary Digital offers a fierce defense.
Read more »