Box Elder County Approves 40,000-Acre AI Data Center as Protests Target Water and Power Use
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 27
Box Elder County Approves 40,000-Acre AI Data Center as Protests Target Water and Power Use
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 27
Summary
Box Elder County commissioners approved a 40,000-acre AI data center project in Tremonton, Utah, despite activist protests over water consumption, electricity demand and environmental effects.
The dispute centers on whether large data centers strain local resources or boost local economies, with opponents warning about infrastructure burdens and supporters arguing the facilities create jobs and tax revenue.
Donald Trump used the fight to frame data center expansion as part of a U.S.-China AI race, saying America holds 75% of AI compute capacity versus China’s 15% and needs more power infrastructure to keep its edge.
The broader clash extends beyond Utah: 78 local jurisdictions have imposed temporary data center moratoriums or bans, New York has enacted a statewide construction moratorium, and 14 other states are considering similar steps.