A panel discussion held at the Salt Lake City Public Library focused on the environmental impact of the Stratos Data Center in Box Elder County, Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY — Community leaders held a panel Wednesday night to discuss what they know so far about the Stratos Data Center approved for Box Elder County .
An environmental lawyer, an ecologist and a director for Utah Clean Energy presented what they know from their respective fields as panelists at the Salt Lake City Public Library. One woman on the panel spoke from the heart about her hometown. Brenna Williams, along with her neighbors, traveled from Box Elder County to share what they're doing to oppose the approved data center.
"I'm afraid we're going to lose it," Williams said as she talked about the bird migration in Box Elder County. "It's going to affect our birds, our bees, our cows and wildlife. "For Williams and others, opposing the data center is about more than water rights and energy resources. Most panelists discussed considerations for water use, energy, pollution and other environmental factors.
Josh Craft, director of Utah Clean Energy, admitted it's been hard to determine how much impact the data center could have on the environment due to limited information.
"It's pretty hard to put this into context," Craft told the audience. "Our initial analysis is that they would emit 12,000 tons of emissions per year. This would double the state's CO2 emissions.
"Brig Daniels, an environmental lawyer and professor of law at the University of Utah, believes the community can still push back, though the data center was approved. "If you really want to make a difference … keep talking," Daniels said. "If we can get a referendum … that is the most powerful tool in the toolbox. "Rhonda Anderson Lauritzen teamed up with Williams to create a citizen referendum and water rights protest.
Lauritzen's water rights border the Great Salt Lake and property for the data center. Her family has been there since the '60s, and she said they've watched the lake shrink.
"We haven't been able to access the water for 10 years," Lauritzen said. "I don't know where they think they're going to get the water from because there is no water out there. "Even if the data center wanted to use water from the aquifers, Lauritzen said they are empty. Like others, Lauritzen didn't learn about the data center until after the first meeting for public comment.
When the next meeting was announced, Lauritzen said she couldn't believe the conversation was happening about a place her family has loved. "I was home on t
Stratos Data Center Box Elder County Environmental Impact Bird Migration Water Rights Energy Resources Pollution Environmental Lawyer Ecologist Director For Utah Clean Energy Brenna Williams Rhonda Anderson Lauritzen Josh Craft Brig Daniels
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.
Box Elder County data center debate intensifies as foes, supporters trade barbsTim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read more »
Amid intense Box Elder County data center debate, another energy plan quietly edges aheadTim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read more »
Hundreds gather at Capitol to rally against Box Elder data center proposalTim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read more »
State, county two-front fight over Box Elder data centerA two-front fight seems to be crystallizing over the Box Elder County data center at the state and at the county.Hundreds demonstrated outside the Utah Capitol
Read more »