SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Legislature appears poised to look into the impacts of data centers, saying the issue affects the entire state.
Rep. Doug Owens, D-Millcreek, successfully persuaded his colleagues on the Natural Resources Interim Committee to open a study on the impacts of data centers on wildlife, water and air.
It passed unanimously on Wednesday.
"I'm not trying to bend us one way or another philosophically on the issue," Rep. Owens said, adding that he believes Utahns should see the impacts.
New renderings released for Box Elder County data center as water rights dispute continues:
While some of his colleagues did not seem to believe data centers presented harms, they were supportive of a study to "get the facts."
"I welcome any of the facts around what data centers do and don’t do. I believe we’ve had a lot of speculation and things that may sway people’s opinions, but I’m not sure they’re rooted exactly in the facts," Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, said. "That would be around water and water rights issues in the state."
Sen. Sandall called for the legislature to bring in its experts to provide lawmakers with correct information.
A legislative study can sometimes lead to bills that can regulate an industry. Rep. Owens previously told FOX 13 News he would open a bill to demand environmental studies on data centers.
"It needs to be studied," said committee Chair Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, pointing out numerous data center projects under way across the state.
The massive data center planned in Box Elder County, backed by celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary, has generated enormous controversy. The Military Installation Development Authority has pushed it, with vocal support from Governor Spencer Cox. Box Elder County Commissioners approved a resolution, triggering efforts for a citizen referendum to repeal the project.
Opponents of the Stratos Project have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of the facility on the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The project is expected to consume a massive amount of energy, but O'Leary has claimed it would not take so much water. Thousands of formal protests have been filed against water rights applications the project has submitted to the Utah State Engineer.
"Where we’re trying to put water in the Great Salt Lake and we’ve got other competing water usage for population growth and if we want to continue farming in this state," Rep. Owens told FOX 13 News. "If we do have data centers? Are they using the best technology or maybe it’s a better idea to put them where they’ve got more water."
Environmental groups praised the committee's actions.
"Stewardship Utah is extremely encouraged that Utah lawmakers have unanimously agreed to study the environmental impacts of data centers, as new research reveals the potentially massive economic and environmental footprint of these projects," the environmental group's Rae Oquirrh Dial said in a statement to FOX 13 News. "We hope this study marks the beginning of a transparent, science-based approach that fully evaluates the true costs and consequences of large-scale data centers before they move forward."
Dr. Ben Abbott with Grow the Flow said he also supported the study.
"It shows the state is recognizing the potential trade-offs of these kinds of facilities and the more information the better," he told FOX 13 News. "I would love to see a motion that puts a pause on existing data center development until the study is complete."
