Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges 180‑day pause on county data‑center approvals, citing water and environmental risks
Summary
At the Emery County Commission meeting, resident Ashley Pruitt urged a 180‑day moratorium on new data‑center applications, citing severe local drought, groundwater risks, noise and heat impacts, and the need for stronger zoning and decommissioning bonds; commissioners discussed annexation, water supply and planning steps and said no formal application from Valor had been filed.
Ashley Pruitt urged the Emery County Commission on July 21 to adopt a temporary 180‑day moratorium on new data‑center applications while the county updates zoning and water protections.
"Because our environment, our water supply, and our land is at stake, I'm asking the county to enact a temporary hundred and 80 day land use use moratorium on new data center applications," Pruitt said, recommending rules such as 100% waterless closed‑loop cooling, dual‑wall piping and secondary concrete containment, strict noise and vibration limits, caps on power and building footprints, lifetime decommissioning bonds and transparent rules for annexation and water‑share transactions.
Pruitt told commissioners the region is in severe drought and that residents face limits on domestic and agricultural water use. She cited research on waste heat from large server facilities and said she wants guarantee that that infrastructure will not use snowpack or groundwater intended for residents and farms.
Commissioners said they appreciated the concerns but noted the county had not received any formal land‑use application from Valor, the company discussed in the presentation. "First of all, it's not being fast tracked," the Chair said, adding the commission had received no building permit or formal application. Commissioners and staff explained the county previously acquired roughly 112 acres north of the lab site for an industrial park that later was negotiated for sale, and that prior annexation discussions predate Valor's interest.
Officials and staff discussed practical steps the county could take if applications arrive: planning and zoning review, tours of operating data centers, and consideration of water‑conservation measures such as piping canals to reduce seepage. Commissioners also emphasized that municipalities and counties exercise different authorities; annexation into a city could shift planning and tax outcomes.
No moratorium ordinance or binding action was adopted at the July 21 meeting. Commissioners said planning and zoning has been working on data‑center language and that officials and applicants can carry on conversations; commissioners encouraged residents to meet privately with company representatives after the meeting for additional information.
Next steps: commissioners suggested staff and planning and zoning continue drafting ordinance language and outreach; no formal application or vote on a moratorium occurred during this meeting.
