Utah Voters Rejected Large-Scale Data Centers
A new poll shows that a significant majority of Utahns oppose major data center projects across the state.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Data Centers
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A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll has revealed that a majority of Utah residents oppose the construction of massive data center projects. Voters increasingly prioritize community protection over the potential economic benefits or national competitive advantages these facilities might offer.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a significant tension between state economic development goals and public sentiment regarding infrastructure. Residents remain skeptical of the trade-offs involved in hosting massive AI-supporting facilities.
The Stratos Project is proposed as a 20,000-acre development, while the separate Creekstone Energy data center in Millard County is projected to bring 106 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $160,000.
The players
Deseret News
This is a Utah-based newspaper that frequently reports on state politics and regional infrastructure developments.
Hinckley Institute of Politics
This organization is based at the University of Utah and focuses on political research and civic engagement initiatives.
Morning Consult
This global decision intelligence company provides data and insights through large-scale public opinion polling.
The details
The polling data suggests that when economic growth is explicitly mentioned as a justification for data centers, 59% of voters still express opposition. This stance persists even as the state balances the growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure with local community concerns.
Timeline
The national poll was conducted from September 10 to September 14, 2026.
The Utah-specific poll was fielded from September 10 to September 15, 2026.
The Tech Race
As states compete to host the massive power-hungry infrastructure required for artificial intelligence, this poll marks a departure from the assumption that economic incentives will be welcomed by local populations. This friction suggests a growing divide between national tech-industrial goals and the specific land-use priorities of local communities.
Residents should anticipate continued legislative and local government debate regarding land use and zoning for large-scale energy projects. This opposition may lead to stricter oversight or potential delays for pending facilities like the Stratos Project.
The takeaway
The poll results serve as a reminder that local community sentiment can act as a significant check on large-scale industrial projects. Policymakers will likely need to adjust their engagement strategies to address specific regional concerns regarding resource use and community impact.
Further reading
For additional context on how regional infrastructure is shifting, visit Data Centers.
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize local interests over national economic or security development goals?
