Group files application to challenge Box Elder County data center approval

In Box Elder County, Utah, a local advocacy group named BEAR (Box Elder Accountability Referendum) has initiated a challenge against the county commission's approval of the proposed Stratos-MIDA Data Center. The group filed two applications for a referendum, aiming to overturn the decision made by the Box Elder County Commission. The proposed data center, notably associated with businessman Kevin O'Leary, has encountered significant public opposition, primarily due to environmental concerns. More than 3,800 individuals have already submitted formal protests to the Utah State Engineer regarding the project's potential environmental impacts. BEAR argues that the 62-square-mile project would generate minimal tax revenue and criticizes the government for fast-tracking its development without adequate impact studies, transparency, or public awareness. Following a review period for their referendum applications, BEAR will need to collect 5,422 signatures from registered Box Elder County voters within 45 days to ensure the data center's approval appears on the November ballot. Lead sponsor Brenna Williams expressed the group's frustration with Kevin O'Leary, who she claims has dismissed opponents as "out-of-state, paid protesters," while asserting that the local community does not want an "out-of-state billionaire" influencing their decisions. As of the report, BEAR is awaiting approval to commence its signature-gathering efforts.