Cox Signs New Order for Data Center Development After Public Outcry

Cox orders ‘higher bar’ for data centers, says public input ‘absolutely matters’

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks to reporters about data centers and the Great Salt Lake at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay on Friday, May 29, 2026 as Utah Representatives Blake Moore and Celeste Maloy look on. (Annie Knox, Utah News Dispatch)Facing public outcry from across the state and intense pushback from communities closest to a massive proposed data center in northern Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday said the health of the G…

Utah Gov. Cox issues order to protect Great Salt Lake, air quality from data centers

Utah's governor directs environmental agencies to follow federal law on water and air quality as big data center developers eye the Beehive State.

Cox signs new order for data center development after public outcry

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a new executive order guiding the development of data centers in the state.

Utah governor signs executive order on data center development

Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order establishing a framework for large data center development in Utah to balance economic growth with stewardship.

BREAKING: Cox signs executive order establishing statewide framework for data center development

FARMINGTON, Utah, May 29, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday signed an executive order establishing what his office described as a statewide framework for evaluating and guiding the development of large data center projects in Utah. Executive Order 2026-03 creates a Data Center Framework directing state agencies to prioritize protection of water resources, including the Great Salt Lake, safeguard utility ratepayers, protect air q…

Cox executive order targets data center development in Utah