In the past week, a proposed hyperscale data center in Box Elder County has raised urgent questions about water use, energy infrastructure, and how decisions are being made. After attending the April 27 meeting, it became clear that even local officials were working under time pressure, with limited information and significant uncertainty.
In this conversation, I sit down with Anna Graff, who is running for Utah House District 12 and serves on a planning commission, to help break down what’s happening—especially the timing of HB 76, a new law focused on data center water transparency that takes effect May 6, 2026, two days after the vote.
As Anna explains, when decisions are made quickly and without complete information, it becomes difficult to fully understand the long-term impacts—particularly in a state already facing water scarcity.
This interview is an effort to make sense of a complex and fast-moving situation, and to ask a simple but critical question: What exactly is being decided—and based on what information?
Watch here:
About
Anna Graff is running for House District 12, which covers parts of Roy, Hooper, West Haven, Clinton, Weber, and Davis Counties. Her work includes water conservation efforts, accessibility, landscape requirements that center on waterwise, firewise, and native plants, and policy review. While she currently serves on the Roy City Planning Commission, her views and statements are her own and do not reflect or represent the commission. To connect with her or learn more, contact her at @electannagraff or electannagraff.com
Resources
Website with more info: https://www.boxeldercountyut.gov/641/Stratos-Project
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