Press Release — June 2, 2026

JONNY LARSEN ADVISES THE MILLARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD OFF ON APPROVING THE DATA CENTER PIPELINE UNTIL FURTHER REVIEW

Jonny Larsen is urging Millard County Commissioners to hold off on approving the natural gas pipeline for the 12 gigawatt Joule Capital data center

Jonny Larsen, a Marine combat veteran and candidate for Utah's 4th Congressional District, is urging Millard County Commissioners to hold off on approving the natural gas pipeline for the 12 gigawatt Joule Capital data center at their Tuesday, June 2 monthly county commission meeting.

"Until we get a handle on our water problem, we shouldn't move forward with any approvals for the 12 gigawatt Joule Capital data center and power plant project," Larsen said.

"In Southaven, Mississippi, a rural county much like Millard, Elon Musk installed an AI data center powered by natural gas earlier this year. Residents there now live with a constant hum and worry about the long-term effects on both their health and the environment."

Larsen doesn't oppose job creation for Millard County residents, but worries the proposal reflects short-term thinking. It remains unclear whether the promised positions would go to locals or be filled by outside workers.

"Millard residents deserve jobs, and their county deserves the revenue those jobs generate. But if we bring in out-of-state talent, that money leaves with them. We lose twice over."

Both the Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell are facing devastating water losses that, if unresolved, threaten Utahns' most basic need: access to clean water.

"Water is a huge concern of ours," Larsen said.

"We have plenty of land to build on, but we just don't have the water to supply it. Many county residents who rely on wells have told me they fear their wells drying up."

Larsen spent over a decade working in information technology and welcomes new technologies. He simply wants it done responsibly. He supports streamlining permit times and reducing restrictions to keep pace with growth and innovation. But he also raises concerns about the water consumption these data centers demand, arguing it would only worsen the severe drought that recently prompted Gov. Spencer Cox to declare a state of emergency.

See more current data center and water stats here.