Box Elder County approves Stratos data center project despite intense opposition

The Box Elder County Board of Commissioners in Utah has approved the massive Stratos Project data center and energy generation complex, despite significant local opposition. The project, backed by investor Kevin O'Leary and Utah's Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), is proposed for 40,000 acres just north of the Great Salt Lake. Governor Spencer Cox has publicly supported data center development in the state, indicating a smooth path for state permitting. Environmental concerns are substantial, stemming primarily from the project's planned 9-gigawatt natural gas power plant. Critics warn that this facility could significantly increase Utah's greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50%, contribute to extreme heat island effects, and strain the power grid. The article highlights a broader trend where data center developers, despite often initially touting renewable energy, frequently end up relying on natural gas for power, exemplified by projects like Prometheus Hyperscale in Wyoming. Water usage is another critical issue, especially given the Great Salt Lake's shrinking levels. While the developer states plans for a closed-loop cooling system for the data center, natural gas turbines can require large volumes of water for steam generation and cooling. An application to transfer 1,900 acre-feet of irrigation water for industrial use at the Stratos Project site, also known as "Wonder Valley," was met with thousands of public protests. The firm subsequently withdrew this application but indicated plans to resubmit, a move criticized by environmental groups like Grow the Flow as an attempt to circumvent public input. Kevin O'Leary has reportedly dismissed opponents as "paid, out-of-state agitators," suggesting a disregard for the local community's concerns and the potential environmental impacts. The article also draws parallels to other large data center developments, such as Project Jupiter in southern New Mexico, which also involves dedicated natural gas infrastructure and faces environmental scrutiny.