Hundreds rally against Box Elder Data Center in Utah
Hundreds of opponents of a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, rallied at the state Capitol to voice environmental concerns. They urged officials to take a more deliberate approach in considering the project, which is backed by Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary's company, O'Leary Digital.
Several hundred opponents of a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 18, 2026. The demonstrators reiterated their environmental concerns regarding the project and called on state officials to adopt a slower, more deliberative process in its consideration.
Brian Moench of the environmental advocacy group Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment criticized leaders, stating that they were "lying" about the national importance of the project. He specifically named Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, known as "Mr. Wonderful" from the television show "Shark Tank," as the primary force behind the development through his company, O'Leary Digital.