75% reduction to Box Elder data center is called for by Utah State President
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is calling for a 75% reduction in the size of a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, developed by Kevin O'Leary. Adams also demands more environmental precautions, including water conservation, water treatment for the Great Salt Lake, and heat-capture technologies. This shift comes amid mounting public pressure and criticism from Adams's political opponents.
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams has reversed his initial support for a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, now calling for a 75% reduction in its footprint.
Adams sent a letter to developer Kevin O'Leary, demanding the project be shrunk to 10,000 acres and include specific environmental protections. These demands include using the latest technology to reduce water consumption, treating and dedicating water to the Great Salt Lake, and incorporating heat-capture technologies to mitigate land temperature impacts. Adams also asked for an agreement with the Utah Department of Natural Resources regarding land conservation.
The Senate President acknowledged that public pushback led to his change of stance, stating that constituents felt excluded despite previous county and agency approvals. Adams, who also chairs Utah's Military Installation Development Authority (MIIDA), has previously helped shepherd the project. His GOP primary opponents, Braden Hess and Stephanie Hollins, criticized his new position as "too little, too late" and "misguided," arguing that the government should not interfere with businesses or that the project should be paused.