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Commissioners and SITLA raise water, fiber and zoning concerns as data‑center interest grows
Summary
Emery County commissioners and SITLA representatives told the Public Lands Council they have received inquiries about locating data centers on public and private lands statewide and raised concerns about fiber access, water use, fencing and zoning compatibility with agricultural lands.
Commissioner Jordan Leonard led a discussion on May 5 about increasing interest in siting data centers in eastern Utah, including on public lands.
Leonard and commission members said access to fiber-optic infrastructure is a primary requirement for many data-center proposals and that proposed sites have raised concerns about water usage, fencing and compatibility with agricultural zoning. Representatives from the School and Institutional Trust Lands Association (SITLA) confirmed they have received inquiries from companies exploring locations statewide.
Officials discussed zoning classifications in the county (agriculture, mining, industrial, mountain zones) and noted that water usage and the need to balance energy development with agricultural interests were key considerations. No formal proposal or vote was made; commissioners described the item as exploratory and said additional analysis on zoning and infrastructure impacts would be needed before any local action.
The council’s meeting packet also included a Travel Bureau 2025 events community report, and council members noted many listed events occur on public lands. No public commenters addressed the data-center discussion at the meeting.
