Utah Data Center Intel

Recent Utah data center news

• Apr 2, 2026

  States Race to Win the Tech Economy in 2026 State of the State Addresses

  Broadband and technology were prioritized across nearly 30 governors’ 2026 State of the State addresses.

  • Main announcement: Governors across the country emphasized broadband expansion, AI policy and workforce development, and data center/energy planning; specific claims include Maine reporting “more than a quarter million homes and businesses” served, Wisconsin reporting 410,000 businesses and households with new or improved internet, Kansas connecting 117,000 households and businesses, and the Virgin Islands reporting a territory-wide internet program with over 50,000 users per month. The addresses also included concrete funding and contract figures: Maryland announced a $4 million AI workforce training investment, and South Dakota cited a $35 million Department of Defense contract for warhead production.
  • Background and other details: Governors described partnerships and policy actions: Maryland cited collaborations with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Microsoft, a South Korean biotech firm, and AstraZeneca for AI work; Iowa cited partnerships with Amazon Web Services and Google Public Sector to modernize state systems; several governors (Indiana, New York, Nebraska) debated who should shoulder data center energy costs or accelerate permitting; some states (New Hampshire, Delaware, South Carolina) signaled nuclear energy pathways and DOE engagement. Implementation timelines are those stated in addresses (2026) and referenced ongoing programs and contracts (e.g., South Dakota’s $35 million DoD contract already awarded).
• Apr 1, 2026 · InfoWest

  SunRiver is Powered by InfoWest Fiber

  InfoWest has announced it is now offering InfoWest Fiber to SunRiver residents with a limited-time introductory rate.

  • Offer details: Introductory rate of $45/month for 12 months, taxes, equipment, and fees included; pricing increases to $55/month after the first year. Customers can sign up via the online portal (https://signup.infowest.com/signup/servicecheck) or call 435-238-7803; local support staff will contact new sign-ups to apply the special offer.
  • Deployment & updates: Service is being rolled out in the SunRiver community (InfoWest says many neighbors have already been connected); residents can receive build progress updates by filling the form at https://infowest.com/sunriver-is-powered-by-infowest-fiber/#fiber-form. The announcement describes on-site installation by local installers and highlights local tech support and a smooth sign-up-to-installation process.
• Apr 1, 2026

  Geothermal’s Rise a Hot Topic Worldwide

  Rystad Energy forecasts near-term surge in geothermal investment to 2030.

  • Main announcement: Rystad Energy projects global investment in geothermal could reach nearly $9 billion by 2030, up from about $1.4 billion in 2020; the article reports multiple new commercial and pilot projects (e.g., Fervo Energy’s 500-MW Cape Station in Utah; the U.S. EIA notes the first large-scale commercial EGS in the U.S. is expected online in June). Include timelines and project scales where given.
  • Background and supporting details:Corporate deals and government support include Google’s long-term agreement with Ormat to supply up to 150 MW in Nevada (online 2028–2030), XGS Energy’s $1.2-billion, 150-MW project to power Meta in New Mexico (two phases operational by 2030), federal and state grants (e.g., $1.78 million tax credit for Vail on a $6-million library geothermal project; DOE / GEODE $165 million grant programs; an $8.6-million grant approved to expand a U.S. Northeast geothermal district heating network).
• Mar 24, 2026

  Engineers Explore Powering Data Centers with Onsite Energy in NCCETC’s Energy Insights Webinar Series

  NCCETC led a webinar on onsite energy generation for data centers on March 5, 2026.

  • Main announcement: The NC Clean Energy Technology Center’s CPIE team, in partnership with the DOE Southeast Onsite Energy TAP, hosted a webinar presenting onsite energy technologies (battery storage, CHP, fuel cells, geothermal, solar PV, thermal storage, waste heat to power, wind, etc.) for data centers; featured speakers included Isaac Panzarella (DOE Southeast Onsite Energy TAP / NCCETC), Vinnie Figlioli (Spectrum Engineers), and David Gray (Joule Power). The webinar emphasized the role of onsite generation where grid capacity is constrained and presented a benefits table mapping technologies to attributes for data centers.
  • Background and concrete details: The North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force interim report (Feb 2026) cited 128 planned data center projects with 37 gigawatts of expected demand in NC; DELTa (created by SEPA and NCCETC) was reported as representing 33 states, 65 tariffs, and 57 electric utilities as of November 2025. Joule Power discussed a Data Center Campus in Central Utah, describing site fuel access (two large pipelines) and chosen molecular-to-electric conversion (reciprocating motors); the next NCCETC webinar (Q3) “Planning for a Sustainable Fleet” is scheduled for June 23, 2026 at 2:00pm with Leke Fleet Services.
• Mar 24, 2026

  Perspectives on Energy and AI Data Centers

  NC State University hosted the Workshop on Energy Needs for AI Data Centers (FREEDM Center) to examine energy demand, grid integration, technology pathways and policy choices for AI-scale data centers.

  • Main announcement/action: The workshop presented concrete projections and site examples and discussed on-site generation (“bring your own generation“) as an interim solution while utility capacity expands. Key facts: Duke Energy projections show global AI data center demand rising from 485 TWh (2024) to 945 TWh (2030) (IEA base case, ~3% of global energy by 2030); hyperscale data centers range from 10 MW to 1 GW, with specific examples of Amazon (up to 400 MW, Richmond County, NC) and Microsoft (600 MW, Person County, NC); PowerSecure stated it can ramp up generation + storage behind-the-meter and repurpose assets to the grid after 5-10 years.

    • Date: March 2026
    • Location: NC State University, College of Engineering (FREEDM Center)
    • Agenda/subject: meeting energy demands, grid integration challenges, technology pathways, policy considerations for AI data centers

  • Background and details: The discussion contrasted grid-centric plans (Duke Energy’s 2025 IRP weighted to natural gas) with onsite alternatives including engines/turbines, fuel cells, geothermal, thermal energy storage, CHP; legislative context includes Virginia HB323 prioritizing waste heat capture and reuse. Examples cited: Joule Energy data center (Millard County, UT) up to 4 GW and DataOne Vineland, NJ up to 300 MW; references include IEA (Energy and AI) and U.S. DOE guidance on AI.

• 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.