Kevin O'Leary agrees to cut Box Elder County data center project area in half
Kevin O'Leary, the developer behind the Stratus data center proposal in Box Elder County, Utah, has agreed to reduce the project's acreage by half. This decision comes in response to environmental concerns regarding a bird sanctuary and demands from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. The reduction aims to address impacts on the Locomotive Springs Waterfowl Management Area and potentially contribute water to the Great Salt Lake.
Kevin O'Leary, the developer spearheading the controversial Stratus data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, has agreed to halve the proposed project area from approximately 40,000 acres to 20,000 acres. This concession follows demands from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and public engagement.
O'Leary stated that the land reduction specifically targets the area around the Locomotive Springs Waterfowl Management Area, an environmental concern he was initially unaware of. While the data center structure plan remains unchanged, O'Leary expressed a desire to return surplus water to the Great Salt Lake, aiming to address salinity concerns. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams lauded the reduction as a positive step, indicating that public engagement is making a difference.
However, Brenna Williams, a member of the Box Elder Accountability Referendum, viewed the reduction as "excellent performance art," arguing that the project, even at a reduced size, will still significantly impact local bird populations. She emphasized that regardless of the changes, the project will have a substantial impact. Adams clarified that no applications for the project have been issued or applied for at this time, indicating the project is still in preliminary stages.