Scope
Utah Executive Order 2026-03 establishes a Data Center Framework of eight principles: protecting the Great Salt Lake and other water resources so that water consumption is not increased and water quality is protected; protecting air quality and airsheds, including not impacting existing non-attainment areas; promoting economic and job growth in rural Utah; mitigating wildlife impacts; protecting utility ratepayers; keeping energy generation and transmission expansion consistent with the other principles; leading on pro-human AI development; and providing public comment opportunities. It directs executive-branch agencies, in matters related to data centers, to adhere to and regularly review the Framework, undertake public outreach, coordinate with other governmental entities and work with the Legislature's interim committees. It applies to state agencies and uses the large data center definition in Utah Code section 73-5-8.3(1)(d).
- Geographic scope
- Utah
- Jurisdiction
- State
- Authority type
- Executive
- Issuing authority
- Governor of Utah
Dates
- Adopted
- 29 May 2026
- Effective
- 29 May 2026
- Scheduled expiration
- See completion condition
- Ended
- Not recorded as ended
- Completion condition
- The order remains in effect until it is modified, amended, rescinded or superseded; it states no end date.
- Source document
- 29 May 2026
- Last checked
- 1 October 2026 (earlier than tracker date 5 October 2026; not an automatic status change)
Summary
On 29 May 2026 the Governor of Utah issued Executive Order 2026-03, Establishing a Higher Bar for Data Center Development in Utah. It creates a Data Center Framework whose principles include not increasing water consumption, protecting air quality and non-attainment areas, protecting utility ratepayers, mitigating wildlife impacts and providing public comment opportunities, and it directs state executive-branch agencies to follow the Framework in matters related to data centers. The order took effect immediately and has no end date. It binds agencies; it does not itself issue or deny any permit or prohibit data centers.
What this does not establish
- The order applies to executive-branch agencies as it defines them; it excludes, among others, institutions of higher education, independent entities, the Attorney General's Office, the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch. It does not itself set permit conditions, prohibit any data center or change a statute.
- The Framework's principles are stated generally. No agency guidance or decision applying them was opened.
- The Governor's executive-order index, checked on 23 September 2026, lists no later order modifying or rescinding it.
Unresolved questions
None recorded.
Relationships
Supersession means a later instrument replaces the earlier legal effect. Repeal links identify the repeal instrument and the measure it ends. A later implementation or related letter is not treated as a replacement unless the record says so.
- Related, not a replacement Water-use reporting for new large data centers (H.B. 76) (In effect)
Sources
https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.05.29-EO-Higher-Bar-for-Data-Center-Development-1.pdf
- Utah Governor's executive-order index lists the 29 May 2026 order; no later modifying or rescinding order listed as of 2026-09-23