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Iron County adopts 180-day moratorium on new data-center and large solar applications
Summary
The Iron County Commission on May 26 adopted Ordinance 2026-13, a 180-day temporary land-use regulation that halts acceptance and processing of applications for data centers, associated power plants and large solar facilities so the county can draft comprehensive rules. The vote was 2–0 with one commissioner absent.
The Iron County Commission adopted Ordinance 2026-13 on May 26, 2026, immediately imposing a 180‑day suspension on accepting or processing new applications for data centers, data‑center power plants and solar power plants while county staff prepares new zoning and operational standards.
Brett Hamilton, the county planner, told the commission that county code "does not adequately address the unique characteristics, operational demands, infrastructure impacts, and land use compatibility issues" associated with data centers and related generation facilities and that the temporary regulation is intended to provide time to study and prepare comprehensive regulations. Applications deemed complete before the ordinance’s effective date — including the Pronghorn Data Center application — were listed as exempt.
The ordinance lists specific areas of study for new regulations, including a possible data center overlay zone, new zoning districts, water‑usage and utility standards, buffering and compatibility measures, and power‑generation and transmission standards. Hamilton told commissioners the pause is intended to prevent development that could be inconsistent with forthcoming county policies.
Members of the public urged the commission to consider local impacts. "I'm concerned with power usage and consumption generation, the environmental impact, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide creation," said a resident identified in the record as Jon Whittaker. Several other commenters raised questions about water demand, disposal of chemicals, and whether 180 days was sufficient time to produce robust rules.
Commissioner Michael Bleak moved to adopt the ordinance; Chair Kenneth Robinson seconded. The vote was recorded as Bleak, Aye; Paul Cozzens, Absent; Robinson, Aye. The ordinance takes effect immediately and will remain in force for 180 days unless repealed or extended.
What happens next: county staff will study and draft code amendments addressing siting, water and power impacts, buffering, and related infrastructure standards; staff signaled that applications already deemed complete at the effective date may continue under the existing rules.
