Brenna Williams is a retired econometrician, university professor, business owner, and
grandmother. She moved to Box Elder in 2005, where her husband was born. She is a
Daughter of Utah Pioneers whose family entered Utah in 1855. She has 6 children and
6 grandchildren, including one granddaughter with asthma. She understands the health
consequences of living on the Wasatch Front facing inversions and dust storms. Brenna
knew she was going to file for a referendum when she walked into the Commissioner
meeting vote, and she told her husband as much. 
Brenna is BEAR's legal liaison and PR/Compliance executive lead. She opposes the
data center for many reasons. Brenna feels the collapse of the Great Salt Lake will
destroy this area. Utah does not have the water for such a project, especially
while already in an extreme drought. Losing the Lake Effect will significantly reduce the
state's precipitation by 50%. Increasing the bad air quality by an estimated 75% is a
major concern for her granddaughter's health. She is upset about the risk of the
citizenry assuming this project without having any say in the process. The tax breaks
given to this massive corporation to develop our land while the residents' property taxes
keep increasing to support the project are frustrating. Brenna is angry about the way

this project was approved through backroom deals without any public involvement. The
MIDA rules surrounding Stratos take all control away from the community are majorly
concerning. The international migratory flyway directly through the project site is another
major concern because adverse effects in Box Elder will negatively impact ecosystems
across the entire hemisphere in North and Central America. Additionally, many
endangered and protected species will be affected adversely. Data centers historically
have negative health impacts on the residents in the areas where they are placed
(cancers, respiratory issues, and heart issues). She wonders if we are just becoming
guinea pigs again, much like the state of Utah was with the Downwinders' issues. These
are just a few of her concerns about Stratos.
Brenna believes in this cause because she has spoken to her neighbors and heard their
concerns. They feel powerless to fight Stratos and believe their elected leaders have
betrayed their interests. They do not know how to respond or what to do next to protect
themselves and their children. She wants to ensure they have a voice in a decision that
will impact them significantly for many years to come.
When we feel powerless, we need support from others, and that is what BEAR wants to
provide through education and understanding. This is vital to the fight. Public skepticism
is growing. We are fortunate to have the ability to lead this group so that we can ensure
everyone gets to have their say. We are in this together because the Stratos project
presents an existential threat to our desert community.