Utah Data Center Brute Forced Through to Approval Despite Widespread Popular Opposition

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Summary

A data center in Utah was approved despite widespread public opposition by exploiting a state entity called MIDA, which operates outside normal regulatory channels. The mechanism is seen as replicable in other states.

A data center was forced through government approval in Utah despite the citizens widely opposing its impact on scarce water resources and numerous other objections. The mechanism used to do this was hailed as "replicable" in other states. <-- (this is the money point) They exploited a state entity called MIDA (Military Installation Development Authority) that acts like a local municipality but which has authority that cannot be overridden by normal channels of regulation in the State Government. Utah State Code implementing MIDA (FindLaw) Box Elder County poll: 71% oppose data center plans (ksl.com - KSL Broadcasting Salt Lake City UT)
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