2 big data centers are coming to Utah’s coal country. How they’ll be powered has residents ‘up in arms.’

Carbon County officials welcome investment in their economically devasted communities, but residents say they don’t want to become home to increased pollution and experimental nuclear technologies.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Valar Atomics branding is seen on a building inside the San Rafael Energy Research Center in Orangeville on Friday, May 15, 2026.

2 big data centers are coming to Utah’s coal country. How they’ll be powered has residents ‘up in arms.’

Carbon County officials welcome investment in their economically devasted communities, but residents say they don’t want to become home to increased pollution and experimental nuclear technologies.

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