Data center proponent steps back from China charges, puts focus on funding of critics
Kevin O'Leary, a key proponent of a data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, has shifted his focus from accusing critics of Chinese ties to questioning their funding sources. Opposition groups vehemently deny these allegations, asserting their movement is organic and driven by local concerns over environmental impact and water supply. Despite significant public opposition, Box Elder County commissioners have approved plans related to the initiative.
Kevin O'Leary, a prominent figure behind a contentious data center proposal in Box Elder County, Utah, and his company O'Leary Digital, are reportedly stepping back from direct accusations linking project opponents to China. Instead, O'Leary Digital's CEO, Paul Palandjian, is focusing on scrutinizing the funding sources of organizations that have publicly opposed the development.
Initially, O'Leary had broadly implied critics were non-Utahns and potentially proxies for the Chinese Communist Party. However, Palandjian clarified that O'Leary Digital is not asserting any local organizers are foreign agents and acknowledges many are legitimate civic groups. He now claims the 'Utah progressive advocacy network' opposing the data center is funded by the Arabella Advisors network, which he described as being under federal scrutiny. A new website has emerged, highlighting alleged connections between Utah progressive groups like Alliance for a Better Utah and Better Utah Institute, and 'dark money' vehicles managed by Arabella/Sunflower network.
Critics, including groups such as Salt Lake Indivisible, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Sierra Club Utah, and the Center for Biological Diversity, have strongly refuted any links to China or allegations of being 'professional protestors.' Deeda Seed of the Center for Biological Diversity described the opposition as one of the most 'astonishing, organic outpourings' she has witnessed in her decades of public policy involvement, driven by concerns over government aid to the project, environmental impacts, and the region's dwindling water supplies. Elizabeth Hutchings from Alliance for a Better Utah stated that her organization's funding information is public and dismissed O'Leary's claims as a baseless diversion.
The proposed data center, designed primarily for military applications and requiring extensive power generation, became public when the Utah Military Installation Development Authority approved initial plans. Box Elder County commissioners subsequently approved related plans, despite hundreds of residents demonstrating against the project in Tremonton and Salt Lake City.