Utah Survey Uncovers Why Residents Oppose New Data Centers

LOGAN — A new Utah State University statewide survey examines Utah residents’ views on data centers. The results indicate that 75.8% of respondents oppose or strongly oppose building new or additional data centers in Utah. The survey offers insights about what drives this opposition.

The findings appear in the first executive summary from a broader research project led by Gina Gilson, Stacia Ryder, and Jessica Schad of USU’s Community and Natural Resources Institute (CANRI). The project will examine data centers’ water and energy demands, Utah residents’ views on data centers, and generate information that could help state and local leaders evaluate proposed development. The August 2026 survey gathered responses from nearly 900 Utah residents and is representative of the state adult population.

“We are excited to share some of the initial results from our statewide survey on data centers,” said Schad, CANRI director and administrator of the survey. “One of the most important findings in my view is that public participation in decision-making processes is nearly as important as the amount of energy and water projects consume, meaning that government and business leaders may want to consider how they can engage communities throughout the planning process.”

The results show that water and energy use, location, and opportunities for public participation are important considerations for residents evaluating data center projects. The survey predominantly measured reported views of hypothetical project features; it only asked about whether residents support or oppose the Stratos data center in Box Elder, which 60.7% strongly opposed.

More than half of respondents (57.2%) strongly oppose data center development, and opposition rises when proposed projects are closer to where respondents live. Residents’ responses also vary with the characteristics of a proposed project.

Asked how specific features would affect their views of a data center within 3 miles of home, 54.1% said usage of recycled or other non-potable water would make them more likely to support it. Renewable energy infrastructure had a similar effect for 51.2%, while 43.4% said a project that built or paid for new energy infrastructure would increase their likelihood of support.

By comparison, 61.3% said using nonrenewable energy would make them more likely to oppose a local project. The use of nuclear energy increased the likelihood of opposition for 41.4%. Responses to a proposal for public reporting of annual water and energy use were more mixed.

“Similar to what we have seen in the context of other energy infrastructure project siting processes, like for shale gas, residents in our survey indicate the continued importance of processes creating avenues for meaningful community participation in these decision-making processes,” said Ryder, assistant professor of sociology. "Additionally, the type of energy and water used to support data centers matters to residents, as respondents were likely to respond more positively to the use of renewable energy and recycled or non-potable water. These are important considerations for shaping planning and public reception."

Gilson, assistant professor of environment and society and interim director of USU’s Center for Colorado River Studies, said:

“Our survey findings underscore the concern that Utahns feel about our water resources. I think it’s important for us to better understand where the water comes from, how much water is used on-site, and how much is used to generate the electricity that powers data centers. Our research will gather information to help answer these questions."

The survey is one part of an ongoing project. CANRI researchers also want to examine public documents and media coverage to assess what information is available about data centers’ water and energy use, and to interview policymakers, developers, community leaders, and residents of select Utah communities affected by data center development. A follow-up survey in 2027 is planned to assess whether residents’ views change over time.

To learn more, read the executive summary: https://artsci.usu.edu/canri/projects/data-center-development-in-utah.