Public outcry grows as Box Elder County approves hyperscale data center

Box Elder County Commissioners in Utah voted to approve the "Stratos Project," a massive hyperscale data center proposed for the Hansel Valley near Snowville. The decision followed nearly two weeks of intense public outcry and a contentious meeting in Tremonton, marked by protests and interruptions that forced commissioners to move to a private room. Commissioner Chair Tyler Vincent and Commissioner Boyd Bingham confronted protesters, with Bingham telling them to "grow up." The vote grants the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) consent to establish the project area, initiating its own planning and approval process, which will include continued oversight and regulatory review. County Attorney Stephen Hadfield assured that environmental concerns, including air quality, water systems, and discharge permits, would still be subject to state and federal compliance. The "Stratos Project," backed by investor Kevin O’Leary and partners through O'Leary Digital, is envisioned as one of the largest data center campuses in the U.S., potentially requiring up to 9 gigawatts of power at full buildout, which would approach double Utah's current electricity demand. Developers claim the facility will generate its own power using natural gas from the Ruby Pipeline and will implement closed-loop cooling systems to minimize water consumption, planning to purchase significant water rights. Concerns over limited groundwater in Hansel Valley were raised by Chance Baxter of the Bear River Water Conservancy District. Despite the approval, no project-specific environmental impact study has been publicly released. The project includes significant tax incentives approved by MIDA, with the county expecting substantial annual revenue. Commissioners cited the county's lack of zoning authority over the largely unzoned land as a key factor in their decision, emphasizing that the agreement included guarantees from developers regarding benefits and infrastructure burdens. MIDA Executive Director Paul Morris highlighted the project's potential national security implications and benefits for military infrastructure. O'Leary Digital spokesman Casey Hill stated that the first phase of capital raising will begin in the next few months, with initial phases starting shortly thereafter, and the company committed to rebuilding community trust. Future steps involve environmental permitting, design review, and additional public processes through state agencies and MIDA.