Utah's governor signed an executive order on Friday tightening the rules for large-scale data center developments, directly responding to public outcry over a project tied to "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary. Spencer Cox's new framework sets a "higher bar" for approvals, addressing concerns that have drawn hundreds of protesters to the state capitol.
The order, announced via social media, is built around eight guiding principles aimed at safeguarding Utah's natural resources and residents. Cox explicitly cited the need to protect the Great Salt Lake and mitigate impacts on wildlife, signaling a shift toward greater scrutiny of tech infrastructure projects.
Opposition to the Stratos Project has been fierce, with Utahns gathering outside the capitol on May 23 to voice their anger. Protesters have raised alarms about water consumption and utility rate hikes, which the new framework now explicitly addresses by promising protections for ratepayers and the environment.
The executive order does not name the Stratos Project directly, but its timing and content leave little doubt about its target. The next steps remain unclear, though the framework will likely reshape how similar developments are vetted across the state.
Critics argue the order may not go far enough, as it lacks binding enforcement mechanisms and leaves key details to future agency rulemaking. Environmental groups have called for a moratorium on all new data centers until those rules are finalized.