Stratos Project

After voting yes on a hyperscale data center to be built in Box Elder County, hundreds of protestors booed the county commissioners out of the building. But as Commissioner Lee Perry explains, their vote wouldn’t have stopped the project.

The owner of the water rights indicated that they will refile at a future date. Protesters who paid the $15 fee will not get their money back, and comments will not carry over to any future applications.

Opponents are filing grievances with the Division of Water Rights. The state engineer will consider those and might hold a hearing before deciding whether to approve the water right’s change of use.

“We will ensure that the development is done responsibly and in a manner that protects the best interest of the Box Elder County and its residents,” the county commission said in a statement.