June 16, 2026

Coalition urges Governor Cox and legislators to adopt a Data Center Resource Impact Review process to protect water, energy affordability, public health, and local communities.

 

Six Utah Organizations Call for Pause on Large-Scale AI Data Center Approvals​

 

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A coalition of six Utah organizations today delivered a letter to Governor Spencer Cox and members of the Utah Legislature calling for a pause on approvals of new large-scale AI data centers until the state establishes a comprehensive review and regulatory framework to evaluate their impacts on water resources, energy systems, public health, wildlife, local communities, and taxpayers.

 

The letter was delivered during the Utah Legislature’s June interim meetings as lawmakers continue discussions about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure and its implications for Utah communities. 

 

The coalition includes HEAL Utah and five additional organizations representing community, conservation, public health, and civic interests across the state.

 

 “We know that AI Data Centers have already become a major force in the lives of many Americans. We are asking Utah to step up and lead in this space by implementing a substantive framework and review process that puts people first and lets communities have a strong voice in the future health and vitality of their communities,” said Lexi Tuddenham, Executive Director of HEAL Utah. 

 

“Across the country the strong majority of people from all political parties are so concerned about the impact of data centers on their everyday lives that they don’t want one in their community.  Over the last several weeks we have seen that same public opposition rise up in Utah in response to proposals for literally dozens of AI data centers throughout the state, yet even more are being permitted as we speak. If our legislators don’t pump the brakes on this construction frenzy immediately, quality of life in Utah will never recover,” said Dr.Brian Moench, President of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

 

The coalition is urging state leaders to establish a rigorous statewide Data Center Resource Impact Review process.

 

The proposed review process would require independent third-party analysis of:

• Water use and long-term sustainability
• Energy demand and impacts on electricity rates
• Public health and air quality impacts
• Noise and heat impacts on nearby communities
• Wildlife and habitat impacts
• Economic benefits and job creation claims
• Community benefit agreements and local investments
• Land use and agricultural impacts
• Long-term infrastructure costs and taxpayer exposure

 

The coalition argues that current regulatory processes are not designed to address the unprecedented scale of modern AI data centers, which can require enormous amounts of electricity and water while creating long-term demands on public infrastructure.

 

The groups point to growing concerns about rising electricity costs, Utah’s ongoing water challenges, worsening air quality, and the continued decline of the Great Salt Lake as reasons for adopting stronger oversight before additional projects move forward.

 

“Utahns have made clear in our engagement and advocacy on the Stratos data center project that a resource-guzzling facility with little community benefit has no place in our state, and that we want to be a part of the decisions that shape our daily lives and that will determine whether the state we call home will remain livable,” said Franque Bains, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club chapter in Utah. 

 

The letter highlights the proposed Stratos data center in Box Elder County as an example of the scale of projects now being considered in Utah but emphasizes that the coalition’s recommendations are intended to apply to all future data center developments across the state.

 

Among the coalition’s recommendations are:

• A temporary pause on approvals of new large-scale AI data centers until a statewide review process is established.
• Independent environmental, economic, and public health analyses.
• Full public disclosure of water and energy demands.
• Protections for ratepayers and water users.
• Legally enforceable community benefit agreements.
• Local hiring and living-wage job commitments.
• Meaningful opportunities for public participation.
• Preservation of local government authority over land-use decisions.

 

The coalition’s full letter has been delivered to Governor Cox, legislative leadership, and members of relevant interim committees and will be shared publicly in the coming weeks.

 

Coalition Members

• Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah)
• Center for Biological Diversity
• Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment
• Sierra Club Utah Chapter Director
• Making Waves Artist Collaborative
• Utah Youth Environmental Solutions

 

Media Contacts

Lexi Tuddenham
HEAL Utah
801-355-5055
lexi@healutah.org

 

Brian Moench

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment

801 243 9089

drmoench@yahoo.com

 

Amy Dominguez

Sierra Club

385-355-4631

amy.dominguez@sierraclub.org