To power Utah’s data center boom, companies are turning to fossil fuels

Grist

by Leia Larsen

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Utah’s rapidly growing data center industry is increasingly reliant on fossil fuels, raising concerns about its impact on air quality and climate change. As tech giants and AI companies rush to establish data centers in the state, they are turning to natural gas-powered generators due to insufficient grid capacity. This shift has significant implications for Utah’s environment, with critics warning of heightened emissions and strained resources. The article highlights the dilemma faced by rural areas like Millard County, where landowners are seeing farmland replaced by sprawling data center complexes. These facilities, often powered by hundreds of natural gas generators, generate constant noise and emissions akin to idling semi-trucks. Meanwhile, in urban areas such as Eagle Mountain, local officials are exploring extreme solutions like small nuclear reactors to meet energy demands, despite public opposition. This reflects the broader challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental concerns. The situation underscores Utah’s position at the forefront of a national “arms race” in AI and advanced technologies. While data centers drive economic growth through tax revenue, their insatiable energy needs are straining both the grid and local ecosystems. Governor Spencer Cox has championed nuclear power as part of his Operation Gigawatt initiative, aiming to double Utah’s power generation by 2035. However, alternative energy sources like solar and wind remain underdeveloped, leaving natural gas as the primary solution for now. For readers interested in climate issues, this story illustrates the complex trade-offs between technological progress and environmental sustainability. The data center boom highlights how the demand for AI and digital services is reshaping energy landscapes, often at the expense of air quality and carbon emissions. As Utah struggles to meet its power needs while maintaining a clean energy reputation, it serves as a cautionary tale about the broader implications of our tech-dependent world. In summary, Utah’s data center expansion is a microcosm of global challenges: balancing innovation with environmental stewardship. While these facilities fuel economic growth and technological advancement

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Originally published on Grist on 2/24/2026