Logan drafts limits on size, water and power for data centers

Logan city officials have drafted rules that would allow data centers only if they stay out of neighborhoods and limit their size, water use and electricity demand, Utah Public Radio reported. Staff presented the proposals at an Oct. 5 open house, about three months after the City Council passed a moratorium on data centers on June 30. ^[1] The city said the 180-day moratorium covers the construction or development of data centers and data center power plants within city limits. ^[2]

Under the draft, data center sites could be no larger than 8 acres and buildings no larger than 100,000 square feet, according to UPR. They would be allowed only in industrial park zones with a conditional use permit and would have to sit at least 1,000 feet from homes. They could use no more than 10 million gallons of water a year, could not use open-loop cooling and would need an electrical load under 10 megawatts. ^[1]

Mark Montgomery, executive director of Logan City Light and Power, said the utility is working on a special rate so data centers, not other customers, pay for any extra power the city must buy, UPR reported. The rules could still change and need approval from the Planning Commission and City Council. ^[1]

Council Chair Mike Johnson said the city cannot ban data centers outright, and some residents told him the draft is too restrictive, according to the report. Other residents asked the city to address carbon emissions and the effects on migratory birds. ^[1]