Daily Digest — May 2, 2026
Utah's Stratos Data Center Faces Intense Local Opposition Ahead of Key Vote
Hundreds of Utah residents have formally protested a proposed 40,000-acre data center campus in Box Elder County spearheaded by investor Kevin O'Leary, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The Utah Division of Water Rights received a high volume of written objections regarding the project's water demands, particularly concerning impacts on the Hansel Valley area. A large crowd also gathered in Brigham City to voice opposition against a potential vote to greenlight the development.
The project, known as Stratos (or Stratus), would generate up to 9 gigawatts of power via on-site natural-gas-fired plants connected to the Ruby Pipeline, as reported by Cache Valley Daily. Climate scientists cited by KSL News raised concerns about:
- A potential "heat island effect" that could increase surrounding temperatures and alter local weather patterns
- An estimated 50% increase in Utah's total greenhouse gas production
- A carbon footprint equivalent to all vehicles in the state
Utah State University professors Robert Davies and Patrick Belmont characterized the power consumption as "New York City scale" and urged local leaders to slow the approval process, according to KSL TV 5.
O'Leary Digital CEO Paul Polangin responded to environmental concerns in his first public remarks on the project, as reported by KSL News. He stated the power plant aims for 1/20th the emissions of comparable gas plants and would seek waterless power production. The data center itself would use a closed-loop water system, which developers say differentiates it from older designs. The company also promised to preserve hunting sanctuaries and include leaseback agreements for ranching operations.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has publicly endorsed the project, framing it as a national security issue and dismissing local opposition as based on "disinformation" and "outdated models," according to KUTV 2 News and Cache Valley Daily. Cox stated that Utah has an obligation to allow such developments to remain competitive in the technology race, specifically referencing competition with China. He criticized slow U.S. development timelines, saying "taking time" does not make things "better or safer."
The project requires approval of an interlocal agreement between the Box Elder County Commission and the Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), which has already recommended approval and offered tax incentives. The Box Elder County Commission tabled its decision and is scheduled to reconsider the project at a public meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026, in Tremonton.
Hundreds of Utahns file to block Kevin O’Leary’s proposed massive data center campus over water concerns
The Salt Lake Tribune
Developers of mega data center promise environmental considerations, community benefit
KSL News Utah
Gov. Spencer Cox weighs into controversy over proposed data center in Box Elder County
Cache Valley Daily
Utah governor supports data center, arguing its a national security issue
KUTV 2 News Salt Lake City
Suggested mega AI data center draws concerns over 'Heat Island Effect'
KSL News Utah
Video: Proposed mega AI data center raises scientists’ concern over water + heat
KSL TV 5
Wilmington, Ohio Homeowners Sue to Block $4 Billion Amazon Data Center
Residents of Wilmington, Ohio, have filed a lawsuit in Clinton County Common Pleas Court against the city, seeking to halt a proposed $4 billion Amazon Web Services hyperscale data center campus, according to WLWT. The planned 471-acre site on the city's south side would consist of nine data center buildings totaling 1.9 million square feet.
Plaintiffs Jessica and Logan Sharp, whose home abuts the development site, allege the city:
- Provided insufficient public notice for a special planning commission meeting, with only two days' notice
- Attempted to adopt "illegal and unenforceable zoning amendments" to facilitate the development
- Failed to disclose key zoning details and the true purpose of zoning changes
- Denied residents a meaningful opportunity for public comment
The lawsuit, as reported by WKRC and WDTNTV, contends these actions violate both the U.S. and Ohio constitutions as well as the state's Open Meetings Act. Residents have raised concerns about potential noise, vibrations, pollution, water consumption, and reduced property values.
The City of Wilmington has acknowledged the lawsuit, denied any wrongdoing, and stated its intention to "vehemently defend the matter," according to WDTNTV. A visiting judge is expected to preside over the case, with a potential first court date anticipated the week of May 11.
Archbald, PA Data Center Projects Hit Legal and Permitting Setbacks
Two separate data center proposals in Archbald, Pennsylvania, are facing distinct regulatory challenges.
Archbald I LLC, the developer behind the proposed 18-building Project Scott campus, has issued a second public notice asserting "deemed approval" of the project, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. The company claims automatic approval took effect on March 31 after the Archbald Borough Council failed to complete a required conditional-use hearing by deadline. The notice initiates a 30-day window for legal challenges. In parallel, the developer filed a land-use appeal lawsuit on April 24 seeking to overturn the Borough Council's March 27 vote to reject the project, alleging due process violations and bad faith by borough leaders. The proposed campus spans approximately 400 acres across 14 parcels.
Separately, the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity has removed Archbald 25 Developer LLC's Project Gravity from the state's PA Permit Fast Track Program, as reported by WVIA Public Media. The decision cited the developer's "lack of responsiveness and unwillingness to provide a transparent overview of the project." Project Gravity, an estimated $5 billion, seven-building campus planned for 186 acres, was accepted into the Fast Track program in September but failed to submit a required permitting schedule. The New York City-based developer, linked to Western Hospitality Partners, still requires final land development approval from the borough.
QTS Appeals Digital Gateway Ruling to Virginia Supreme Court
QTS, through parent company GW Acquisition Co., has filed an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court seeking to revive the PW Digital Gateway data center project in Prince William County, Virginia, according to InsideNoVa and E&E News by POLITICO. The appeal follows two prior court rulings that nullified the project's rezoning due to improper public notice — an August 2025 Circuit Court decision and a unanimous March 31 Virginia Court of Appeals ruling.
The proposed 37-building data center complex, planned adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park, would include 14 electric substations and hundreds of diesel generators. QTS argues the Appeals Court decision was based on "highly technical notice provisions that harmed no one."
Compass Datacenters, a co-developer, withdrew from further appeals earlier in the week. Opposition groups — the Oak Valley Homeowners Association, the American Battlefield Trust, and the Coalition to Protect Prince William County — remain committed to blocking the project, citing concerns about noise, pollution, property values, and the proximity to the historic battlefield. The American Battlefield Trust's president stated that QTS is "fighting a losing battle."
