Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order Friday that seeks to assuage concern that large data center projects could take water from the Great Salt Lake and drive up utility bills.
“Utahns deserve confidence that water resources, air quality, utility rates, wildlife, and quality of life will be protected,” the Republican governor said in a post on X. “This framework helps ensure that data center development aligns with Utah’s long-term interests and reflects Utah values. “
The executive order directs agencies to adhere to a broad policy framework that promotes job growth in rural areas, keeps utility bills down and ensures water consumption from the Great Salt Lake doesn’t increase. The Great Salt Lake and its ecosystem are suffering from rapidly declining water levels. It’s considered among the world’s most endangered large water bodies.
The order did not include detailed plans on how the goals would be met. But Cox also said state agencies should ensure electricity generation and transmission development for artificial intelligence data centers don’t conflict with the other economic and environmental policy aims.
