Box Elder County data center proposal faces growing backlash over Great Salt Lake concerns

Growing opposition surrounds a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, primarily due to environmental concerns regarding its potential impact on the Great Salt Lake. Investor Kevin O'Leary publicly addressed these concerns, suggesting that the project could implement air cooling technology to significantly reduce or eliminate water requirements. Meanwhile, state officials have confirmed that the project's initial water rights application was recently withdrawn. However, they anticipate the application will be refiled in the near future, following revisions to the data center's proposal. This development indicates a response to the ongoing backlash and a potential shift in the project's plans to address environmental considerations.