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Data Center Backlash Topples Utah Leaders, 60% Oppose Project

6/25/2026

40 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Backlash against data centers ousted Senate President Stuart Adams and two Box Elder commissioners in the primaries.
A poll found 60% of voters oppose the Box Elder data center, up from 53% in May.
Investor Kevin O’Leary said the Stratos project remains viable and elections will not alter its plans.
BEAR called the primary a message vote, noting anti-data-center sentiment prompted moratoriums and incumbent losses in Maryland and South Carolina.

History

Historical Context

The Telecommunications Act, signed by President Bill Clinton on February 8 1996, overhauled the 1934 Communications Act and gave the FCC authority to promote broadband deployment. Though intended to spur competition, by 2001 four incumbents controlled about 85 % of network infrastructure, and media ownership fell from roughly fifty firms in 1983 to six by 2005, fueling local opposition to new data-center projects like the Box Elder primary.

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Story summary

Backlash against data centers ousted Senate President Stuart Adams and two Box Elder commissioners in the primaries.
A poll found 60% of voters oppose the Box Elder data center, up from 53% in May.
Investor Kevin O’Leary said the Stratos project remains viable and elections will not alter its plans.
BEAR called the primary a message vote, noting anti-data-center sentiment prompted moratoriums and incumbent losses in Maryland and South Carolina.

1 / 2