Provo council approves data center power and cooling rules 5-1, confirms two department directors
April 28, 2026, 5:30 p.m. · 445 W. Center Street, Provo
The council passed an ordinance amending power generation, evaporative cooling and environmental reporting requirements for data centers on a 5-1 vote. It consented to the mayor's appointments of energy services and parks and recreation directors and appropriated $75,000 for an economic development study. Council Member Craig Christensen was excused.
From the agenda and city or news reports of the results; minutes not yet posted. Updated October 14, 2026.
In brief
4 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 approved.
1 vote was not unanimous: Data center power generation, evaporative cooling and environmental reporting requirements (5-1).
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $75,000.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents.
Residents raised data centers.
The previous City Council meeting was on April 14, 2026: Provo council work session: FY2027 budget, RAP tax and property tax presentations
The next one was on April 28, 2026: Provo council advances Slate Canyon conservation easement and moves virtual currency kiosk ban to a final vote
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1-2 · Presentation
Ceremonies: Police Chief of the Year and Sterling Scholars
Discussed
The council recognized Chief Troy Beebe as the Utah Chiefs of Police Association's Chief of the Year and Provo students in the Sterling Scholar program.
Item 3 · Appointment
Consent to mayor's appointment of energy services director
Approved · 6-0
The council consented to the appointment.
Item 4 · Appointment
Consent to mayor's appointment of parks and recreation director
Approved · 6-0
The council consented to the appointment.
Item 5 · Budget
$75,000 General Fund appropriation for economic development study
Approved · 6-0
The council appropriated $75,000 for an economic development study for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
- Budget$75,000
Item 6 · City code
Data center power generation, evaporative cooling and environmental reporting requirements
Approved · 5-1
The council amended code requirements for data centers on power generation, evaporative cooling and environmental reporting.
- Case: PLOTA20250458
What residents said
Data centers