A large industrial proposal is taking shape on the south shore of the Great Salt Lake that could reshape the water future, land use, and the fragile ecosystem of Tooele Valley, according to a report published August 18.
Developer Chuck Ackerlow is pursuing a large industrial complex that would be anchored by a 500-megawatt data center, a truck stop, and various other industrial facilities. The scale of the proposal has raised concerns due to the water-intensive nature of data centers and the project's location within the Great Salt Lake basin.
One controversial aspect of the project involves water usage. The proposal seeks a state permit to discharge up to 250,000 gallons per day of salt-heavy wastewater into wetlands that drain into the Gilbert Bay of the Great Salt Lake.
Concerns regarding the proposal include the impact on Tooele County groundwater, which is already over-allocated under a state-mandated management plan. Residents have expressed worries that additional industrial pumping could cause domestic wells to run dry or become brackish.
Additional environmental concerns include the potential for accelerating the shrinking of lake levels, toxic dust storms from exposed lakebeds, and habitat loss for migratory birds. There are also concerns regarding PFAS contamination from data-center cooling flush water, as even closed-loop systems require periodic flushing.
Several agencies are involved in the decision-making process. The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) is providing tax breaks, low-cost financing, and bond support for the project. Ackerlow has stated that the development would not be possible without these incentives and has lobbied UIPA officials to act quickly.
The Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) is reviewing the wastewater discharge permit. Following a public hearing on July 27, the agency is still reviewing public comments and has not issued a final decision.
Tooele County holds significant decision-making power through the County Council and Planning Commission, which control zoning and land-use approvals.
The Tooele County Planning Commission recently took public comment on a new Chapter 34 data center ordinance, which will determine the standards data centers must meet for approval. During a meeting on August 12, the commission also voted to table the approval of two plat subdivisions for the Ackerlow project pending a review of a traffic study.
On Tuesday, Aug 18, the Tooele County Council is scheduled to discuss the traffic study. Community members may provide public comment at the beginning of the meeting at the Tooele County Council Chambers, located at 47 S. Main St, Tooele.
