AGP Executive Report

Clean Energy: Utah’s geothermal boom is drawing major buyers: Google agreed to purchase 396 megawatts from Fervo Energy’s planned Cape Station in southwest Utah. The projects promise round-the-clock clean power, but raise questions about water use as data centers drive demand. Airport Engineering: Salt Lake City International Airport’s $5.1 billion redevelopment is nearing its final handoff, with seven Concourse B gates due Oct. 27 after a decade of construction staged around active airport operations. Campus in Roblox: Utah State University has built a virtual campus where players can explore and play games, turning a computer-science passion project into a new digital way to experience the university. Wildlife Science: Tropical Storm Rachel pushed ocean-going storm petrels inland, producing Utah’s first recorded sightings of the seabirds, according to state wildlife officials.

AI and Health Care: Utah’s AI sandbox is testing health-care tools, including a $4.99 acne app that can prescribe from a limited set of treatments without a doctor’s direct approval in some cases. The pilot raises questions about safety, privacy and oversight. Data Center Debate: Nationwide, residents are pushing back against data centers over water use, noise and power costs. Utah’s proposed Stratos project has drawn scrutiny over its water needs, while Iron County is advancing data center rules. Energy Choices: Utah leaders are promoting nuclear power as tribal and environmental groups protest uranium mining and processing near White Mesa. Meanwhile, Fervo’s planned 4-gigawatt geothermal project in Utah is expected to send its power elsewhere, at least for now. Medical Education: BYU’s new medical school has received preliminary accreditation and plans to begin recruiting its first class for a 2027 launch.

AI in Health Care: Utah’s pilot lets Nolla Health’s $4.99-a-month acne app assess patients and prescribe from eight topical treatments without a doctor’s initial approval; uncertain cases go to a physician, but the rollout raises safety and privacy questions. Data Center Boom: A new report puts U.S. data-center investment at $10 trillion, with Eagle Mountain’s construction highlighting Utah’s role as states reconsider tax breaks and the strain on other resources. Power Demand: Lehi City Power has grown from a 3-megawatt winter peak in 1993 to 167 megawatts in summer 2025, underscoring the challenge of keeping electricity affordable as Utah grows. Energy Research: Utah hosts the nation’s largest next-generation geothermal plant, yet receives none of its power. Medical Education: BYU’s newly accredited medical school plans to begin teaching its first class in July 2027.

AI & Health: Utah’s AI sandbox has launched new health-care pilots, but questions remain about oversight as the state tests AI-enabled care. Powering Growth: Lehi City Power marks 100 years as summer demand has surged from 3 megawatts in 1993 to 167 megawatts in 2025; a major Stratos data center’s water application is expected soon. Geothermal: Utah hosts the country’s largest next-generation geothermal plant, but its power goes elsewhere, while Fervo Energy showcases its commercial enhanced-geothermal project. Utah Biotech: Recursion raised $200 million as partner Sanofi selected an immunology drug candidate for development. Clean Aviation: Beta tested an electric aircraft as a medical courier in Utah, exploring a lower-emission way to deliver medicines. Research: University of Utah researchers found that social-norm messaging alone doesn’t curb people’s intentions to use antibiotics inappropriately. Great Salt Lake: A Weber State study finds Utahns are willing to pay to restore the lake, though estimates vary widely.

Geothermal & Nuclear: Utah-based Fervo says its Cape Station project in Beaver County reached commercial operation in September, a first for a greenfield enhanced-geothermal development; the company is inviting investors to tour the site. Meanwhile, Utah’s governor joined Idaho and Wyoming leaders at construction of TerraPower’s next-generation nuclear plant in Wyoming. AI in Health Care: Utah is testing whether an AI app can prescribe certain acne medications to eligible adults, with physician review built into the pilot’s phased oversight. Data Centers & Water: Iron County is advancing rules for data centers as communities weigh their power and water demands; a permit application is expected soon for the proposed Stratos project. Medical Research: BYU’s new medical school has preliminary accreditation and plans to begin teaching in July 2027. Utah Tech also received a $1 million federal grant to study a rare childhood neurological disorder. Great Salt Lake: A Weber State survey found residents would pay more than $100 per household annually to help restore the lake, if they believe the money would make a difference.

Biotech: Salt Lake City’s Recursion says Sanofi selected a drug candidate from their research partnership, triggering a $10 million milestone; the treatment could enter Phase 1 trials in 2027. Surveillance Tech: Ogden’s police chief defended the city’s 41 license-plate readers at a council work session, as privacy concerns grow and officials described safeguards on data access. AI Policy: Utah leaders debated accountability at a UVU summit, with experts split on whether AI harms should be handled through product liability or stronger criminal laws. Medical Education: BYU’s new medical school received preliminary accreditation and plans to begin classes in July 2027. Defense Innovation: At Dugway, a drone-mounted laser system helped guide precision mortar strikes beyond standard range, in a test for U.S. special operations forces. Data Center Debate: Utah’s expanding data-center plans face fresh scrutiny over water use, with a permit application for the proposed Stratos facility expected soon.

Biotech: Salt Lake City’s Recursion landed a $10 million milestone after Sanofi selected a potential drug candidate from their AI-enabled research partnership. Recursion also priced a $200 million stock offering, extending its cash runway into 2029. Federal Research: A judge blocked the Forest Service’s planned move to Utah, citing limits on agency reorganizations without congressional approval; the ruling also pauses office closures and employee relocations. Data Centers: Utah’s proposed Stratos project faces scrutiny over water use, with a permit application expected soon. Candidates in a Utah congressional debate called for more data-center transparency. Clean Energy: Fervo’s planned 4-gigawatt geothermal project could add major power capacity in Utah, though current plans would send its output elsewhere. Water and Weather: Lake Powell has fallen to a record low after a warm year and weak mountain snowpack. Utah is also testing drone-based cloud seeding, while a new Monument Valley weather station aims to inform water decisions. Applied AI: Utah expanded its AI sandbox with healthcare pilots, offering a testing ground for new uses of the technology.

Data Center Watch: Stratos’ water-permit application is expected “shortly” after a missed target. The developer says it will include detailed hydrological studies, as Utahns await figures on the project’s water demand. Power Infrastructure: Rocky Mountain Power is seeking public input on a proposed 54-mile, 345-kilovolt line from Cedar City to Hurricane, planned alongside I-15 and targeted for service by 2033. Biotech: Intermountain Health’s LDS Hospital is joining a Phase I/II trial of an experimental cell therapy for relapsed or treatment-resistant lymphoma. Medical Education: BYU’s School of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation and can recruit its first students for a planned 2027 start. Water Research: A new USU-backed weather station in Monument Valley will provide local precipitation, soil and atmospheric data to support water decisions, ranchers and emergency planning. Clean Energy: Fervo’s planned Utah geothermal plant has major contracts serving California and Google, while Utah customers are not yet set to receive its power.

Water Technology: Utah’s Division of Water Resources is partnering with Rainmaker to test drone-based cloud seeding as the state searches for ways to bolster water supplies. AI and Data Centers: Utah congressional candidates are calling for more transparency as large data-center projects draw scrutiny; rural communities are also pushing back, and counties weigh new rules. Local Innovation: A Utah teen has developed an AI app to detect potholes, while BETA completed Utah electric-aircraft trials aimed at delivering medical supplies, including radiopharmaceuticals. Research and Biotech: Utah Tech received a $1 million federal grant to study a rare childhood neurological disorder. Utah-based Nusano also signed a radioisotope supply deal to support development of targeted cancer treatments.

AI Infrastructure: Utah’s 2nd District candidates Blake Moore and Peter Crosby agreed that data-center developers need more transparency and public input, but differed on local control and oversight of the proposed Stratos project. The debate comes amid growing scrutiny: Utah has at least 48 operating data centers, while seven under construction are expected to use more power than all current facilities combined. Responsible AI: The University of Utah’s One-U initiative marked three years of work and highlighted Redtail, a new AI supercomputer intended to support research and education statewide. Utah Science: University of Utah researchers found that aspens’ drought history can shape the chemical defenses in new leaves, offering fresh insight into a tree species declining across the West. Medical Technology: Electric-aircraft company Beta tested radiopharmaceutical deliveries in Utah, exploring how aircraft could transport medicines with short shelf lives. Research Funding: Utah Tech University received a $1 million federal grant to study a rare childhood neurological disorder.

MedTech: Salt Lake City’s Epitel, which makes AI-driven wireless brain-monitoring technology, named its first CFO as it expands after a Series B funding round and FDA innovation challenge selection. University Research: Utah Tech University received a $1 million federal grant to study a rare childhood neurological disorder. University of Utah physicists also contributed to the IceCube project, whose founder won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. Data Center Debate: Utah’s AI infrastructure boom is meeting local resistance, with Iron County weighing new rules and rural communities pushing back over data centers’ impacts. Science & Environment: A new documentary highlights Great Salt Lake decline and possible health risks, while University of Utah researchers say Salt Lake City needs a “Code Red” plan for extreme heat. Medical Technology: BETA completed Utah eIPP operations aimed at advancing radiopharmaceutical delivery.

Electric Aviation: BETA tested all-electric cargo flights between Salt Lake City, Provo and Logan, moving medical supplies as part of Utah’s effort to develop advanced air mobility ahead of the 2034 Olympics. Research: Utah Tech won its first NIH research grant, more than $1 million to study 4H leukodystrophy using zebrafish, gene-editing tools and drug screening. Data Center Rules: Iron County commissioners are weighing regulations before a November deadline, while Logan’s draft rules would limit facility size, water use and power demand. The debate reflects growing tensions over data centers’ local impacts and economic promise. AI and Infrastructure: Utahns at a citizens’ forum urged policymakers to consult experts and reflect public values on AI. Meanwhile, LS Electric’s Utah-linked U.S. business secured a $138.5 million equipment contract for a Pennsylvania data center, part of more than $500 million in orders from Bloom Energy.

Electric Aviation: BETA completed five days of Utah test flights with its all-electric ALIA, moving medical cargo between Salt Lake City, Provo and Logan under a federal pilot program. The trials test whether electric aircraft can deliver critical supplies faster and more affordably. Drone Technology: Salt Lake City-based Red Cat launched Red Cat Aerial, uniting its drone teams and unveiling TRICHON, a long-endurance aircraft for surveillance missions. AI in Healthcare: Utah is testing AI-generated prescriptions, raising questions about how the technology could shape hospital care. Research: University of Utah physicists contributed to the IceCube project, whose founder, Francis Halzen, received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. Data-Center Rules: Iron County’s planning panel advanced proposed data-center rules despite calls from residents and tribal leaders to delay.

Data Center Rules: Iron County’s planning panel advanced data-center regulations without changes, despite residents’ calls for stronger water protections, independent studies and enforceable limits. County commissioners will discuss the proposal Monday, but won’t vote. Great Salt Lake: A new documentary spotlights the shrinking lake’s potential health effects, while University of Utah researchers warn that lakebed dust is already an air pollutant. Researchers say arsenic in the dust remains unproven; more than 800 square miles of lakebed are exposed. Health Research: A yearlong trial involving University of Utah researchers found personalized walking adjustments eased knee-arthritis pain about as much as medication and slowed cartilage loss. AI in Utah: Utah researchers are working to keep people in control as AI advances, while the state is testing algorithm-written acne prescriptions—an experiment that puts the safety and oversight of automated medical advice in focus.

Extreme Heat: University of Utah researchers found unsheltered people in the Salt Lake Valley face prolonged dangerous temperatures, with limited access to shade, water and restrooms; their report urges stronger protections. AI in Health Care: Utah is testing algorithm-written acne prescriptions, a first-of-its-kind state experiment that puts AI’s role in medical care under scrutiny. Data Center Debate: Tooele County tabled a draft data-center ordinance as Utah communities weigh the facilities’ water and power demands; research finds most Utahns oppose one near their homes. Space Science: University of Utah physicists contributed to the IceCube neutrino observatory, whose founder won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. Water & Climate: New research finds Western droughts are more connected than previously thought, with Utah among the states affected; separate University of Utah work is probing dust risks around the Great Salt Lake.

Data Center Backlash: Mona residents say a 3-million-square-foot data center was approved without notifying nearby landowners. USU research finds 68% of Utahns oppose facilities near their homes, citing water use and lack of public input. Bonneville Record: The hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax posted a provisional 406.320 mph average at Utah’s salt flats, a new mark for the technology. Wildfire Readiness: University of Utah experts say Utah needs stronger plans and funding for work before fires and recovery afterward, not just suppression. IceCube Research: Utah physicists’ contributions to the neutrino observatory drew notice as its founder received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. AI in Health Care: Utah’s pilot testing AI-generated prescriptions is expanding, while questions about FDA oversight and how the tools are evaluated remain.