Utah Data Center News

Mar 24, 2026

The Northwest Hasn’t Learned the Lessons of WPPSS (“Whoops”)

Laura Feinstein (Sightline Institute) argues that leaders should avoid building new gas-fired power plants in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and instead prioritize data center flexibility, demand response, energy efficiency, and transmission expansion to address near-term resource adequacy concerns.

Main action and evidence: The piece urges policymakers and regulators to require utilities and large electricity users to exhaust large-load flexibility and demand-side measures before approving fossil fuel infrastructure; cites a September 2025 E3 Phase 1 analysis that reported an 8.7 GW shortfall by 2030 (commonly rounded to 9 GW), which shrinks to roughly 5.6 GW when already planned resources (e.g., Carriger solar, PacifiCorp conversions) are counted. The article highlights alternatives with concrete figures: a Duke University estimate that 3.8 GW could be gained if data centers reduced power about one week per year, and a Sylvan Energy Analytics review showing data-center curtailment can eliminate the gap in multiple scenarios.
Background and concrete details: The article documents utilities’ recent actions and legislative context: PSE has contracted for six new gas turbines (filing redacted), Grant PUD approved a (temporary) 12 MW natural gas plant, PSE’s voluntary demand response currently reduces <2% of peak demand and Washington law requires ramping to 10% savings starting 2027; it notes the U.S. Department of Energy used the E3 report to justify keeping a coal plant online past Dec 31, 2025. The author characterizes the piece as an opinion/analysis urging precaution and policy alternatives rather than announcing a new transaction or partnership.

Mar 24, 2026

Experts Say Data Centers Face Permitting, Economic, and Community Support Obstacles

Chris Jordan (National League of Cities) and Jacob Levin (CTC Technology & Energy) discussed public support, permitting, zoning changes, and potential uses for BEAD nondeployment funds during a National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors webinar.

Main discussion: The panel reported that only one-third of Americans support data centers near their homes and that support would fall further if electricity bills rose (hypothetical $10/month increase halves support). They cited >1,000 hyperscale data centers globally (~600 in the U.S.), primary growth markets (Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Phoenix), and noted cities are rewriting zoning to define data centers by power draw rather than square footage (examples: Linn County added environmental provisions; Mesa, AZ added water use codes).
Policy and funding context: The panel highlighted the $21 billion BEAD nondeployment fund as potentially eligible for permitting support, fiber/conduit buildout, and AI-related infrastructure, but emphasized that permitted uses will depend on program details and state implementation.

Mar 19, 2026

Fervo Energy Secures More Funding for Cape Station Geothermal Project

Fervo Energy has announced it closed $421 million in non-recourse debt financing for the first phase of its flagship Cape Station geothermal project in Beaver County, Utah.

Financing and lenders: The oversubscribed package totals $421 million and includes a $309-million construction-to-term loan, a $61-million tax credit bridge loan, and a $51-million letter of credit facility; RBC Capital Markets served as financial advisor and coordinating lead arranger alongside Barclays, BBVA, HSBC, MUFG, and Société Générale, with additional participation from J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (New York Branch).
Project scope and timeline: Cape Station is expected to deliver first power to the grid this year, reach about 100 MW of operating generation capacity by early next year, and is designed to eventually scale to 500 MW; the first-phase output is fully contracted under PPAs with Southern California Edison, Shell Energy, and community choice aggregators.

Mar 12, 2026

Utah State Legislature Brief: How USU is Affected by 2026 Legislative Session

Utah State University announced it is reviewing House and Senate appropriations and bills from the close of the 2026 General Legislative Session (March 6) that directly affect the university, employees, and students.

Main action: The Legislature approved a 2.5% discretionary salary increase for higher education employees (to go into effect July 1); funding is appropriated at a 75/25 match rate (state covers 75%, institutions cover 25%) and USU is determining the internal breakdown between cost-of-living and flex funding with faculty/staff leadership.
Funding and program details: The Legislature allocated multiple one-time and ongoing funds to USU and the Utah Board of Higher Education, including $1.8M for performance in access/completion, ~$29M for a re-scoped Animal Science Building renovation plus $165,000 ongoing for operations, $15M (one-time) for a dedicated artificial intelligence research data center, $50M (one-time) for a higher-education research grant pilot, and other targeted allocations (see list for amounts and purposes).

Mar 11, 2026

Climate Change Solutions - March 10, 2026

EESI will host a briefing on energy efficiency with the Alliance to Save Energy on March 12 to highlight cost-effective measures for households and small businesses.

Main announcement: EESI and the Alliance to Save Energy will hold a briefing Strategies to Lower Utility Bills Now for Households and Small Businesses on Thursday, March 12, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., in the Rayburn House Office Building, Gold Room (Room 2168) and online (RSVP link available). The event focuses on energy efficiency solutions for households and small businesses and invites expert panelists to discuss readily-available measures.
Background and other details: EESI published a Climate Jobs fact sheet citing >4 million climate jobs in 2024 and a 2.8% growth rate in clean energy jobs; it also promoted the 29th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO on June 24 (Rayburn Foyer and Gold Room, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., online option). The newsletter summarizes recent congressional activity on bills including S.2245 (Digital Coast Act extension), H.R.755 (Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025), H.R.390 (ACERO Act), and H.R.2600 (ASCEND Act), and notes hearings that focused on the electric grid and data centers.

Mar 10, 2026

US solar installations down in 2025 after Trump policies jolt market, report says

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie published a study showing US new solar installations fell to 43 GW in 2025, down from nearly 50 GW in 2024.

Study finding and causes:43 GW installed in 2025 versus nearly 50 GW in 2024; utility-scale solar installations declined 16% and community solar declined 25% in 2025. The report attributes the disruption to policy changes under the Trump administration, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the scrapping of subsidies and tax breaks for renewable developers, and a freeze on approvals for major projects. Top states: Texas added 11 GW, followed by Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Utah and Arkansas.
Background and projections: The report notes solar and energy storage accounted for 79% of new capacity additions in the first year of the Trump administration, with more than two-thirds of installations in states won by him. It projects the US will add 490 GW of new solar capacity by 2036, taking cumulative installed capacity to nearly 770 GW. Key spokespersons: Darren Van’t Hof (SEIA interim President and CEO) and Michelle Davis (head of solar, Wood Mackenzie).

Mar 8, 2026

2026 Utah legislature on Great Salt Lake, Colorado River and the environment

Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands won the bankruptcy auction for U.S. Magnesium and lawmakers rushed through funding and multiple bills aimed at supporting the Great Salt Lake and other environmental priorities.

Main action: The state agency won the auction for U.S. Magnesium’s bankruptcy assets to secure water for the Great Salt Lake and the Legislature approved $30 million in funding; House Majority Leader Casey Snider filed a land-trade settlement involving the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge that will provide $60 million intended for lake rescue efforts.
Additional facts and legislative actions: Lawmakers set aside $1 million for potential Colorado River lawsuits; the session passed bills to change how water-conserved credits are used (e.g., shifting brine shrimp tax revenues), authorized studies (wetlands, forest/watershed health at Utah State University), and advanced a bill requiring data centers to disclose water use (initially failed in the Senate, then reconsidered and passed); a stalled proposal to reallocate funds from the Bear River Pipeline also received debate but did not pass.

Mar 5, 2026

U.S. Issues First Commercial Construction Permit for a Nuclear Reactor in Years

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a construction permit for a TerraPower subsidiary to build a sodium-cooled commercial reactor in western Wyoming.

Main announcement: The NRC issued its first construction permit for a commercial reactor in eight years, allowing TerraPower to begin construction within weeks on an up-to $4 billion plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming; completion is targeted for 2030 and the reactor is rated 345 megawatts (up to 500 MW peak).
Background and details: The permit is the NRC’s first for a non-light-water commercial reactor in more than 40 years; the plant will be sited beside a coal-fired plant being converted to natural gas, will use molten sodium as a coolant, and TerraPower says it is lining up sources of highly enriched uranium domestically and in South Africa. In January, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a first step toward modernizing the fuel cycle and invited states to express interest by April 1.

Mar 4, 2026 · InfoWest

Annabella Gets Lit Up with InfoWest Fiber!

InfoWest has announced availability of fiber-optic internet service in Annabella (Sevier County), offering an introductory pricing plan and local installation/support.

Announcement: InfoWest is offering fiber service in Annabella, Sevier County, with an introductory price of $45/month for 12 months (“taxes, equipment, and fees included”) and $55/month after the first year; customers can sign up by phone (435-238-7803) or online at infowest.com. The update is dated March 4, 2026 and presents this as a customer-facing launch/availability notice.
Details/implementation: The release emphasizes local tech support, installation services, and a smooth sign-up-to-installation process; no financing, partnership, or multi-party deal details are provided, and the message is a direct consumer service announcement rather than a contractual or regulatory filing.

Mar 4, 2026

Data Center Jobs: Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Sales, Field Service and Facility Tech Jobs Available in Major Data Center Hotspots

Data Center Frontier, in partnership with Pkaza, has posted the latest roundup of data center career opportunities on the Data Center Frontier jobs board.

Main announcement: Data Center Frontier and Pkaza published 13 current data center job listings across the United States (examples include Electrical Applications Engineer, Electrical Commissioning Engineer, Production Architect – Data Center Facilities Design, Director of Construction, and Data Center Facility Operations Director), with many roles offering remote options or multiple city locations (e.g., Pittsburgh, Dallas, New York, Ashburn, Columbus, Boulder, Chesterton, Augusta).
Background and details: Listings are provided by/for mission-critical and colo/hyperscale sectors and emphasize reliability, energy efficiency, sustainable design and LEED expertise; roles cover engineering design & commissioning firms, electrical contracting, general contracting and data center developers, and include positions supporting AI/HPC infrastructure and brownfield conversions.

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