A Guide to Data Centers in Utah
Alex Kelgreen has developed "The Elephant in the Desert," an interactive tool that maps all operational data centers across Utah. Inspired by public concern over projects like the Box Elder data center and a perceived knowledge gap, the tool aims to inform the public about data center locations and potential improvements. Kelgreen discussed his project and the current state of data centers in Utah on RadioWest.
Alex Kelgreen, a Master of Rhetoric student at the University of Utah, created "The Elephant in the Desert," an interactive online tool designed to map every data center operating in Utah. The project was initiated after observing public outcry against specific developments, such as the Box Elder data center and Kevin O'Leary's Stratos Project, while realizing that many other data centers in the state operate without public protest. Kelgreen identified a significant "knowledge gap" among the public regarding the prevalence and impact of these facilities.
The tool's purpose is twofold: to transparently show where data centers are located and to suggest ways to improve their operations, under the premise that data centers are an enduring part of the technological landscape. Kelgreen joined RadioWest to discuss his initiative and provide an update on current data center developments within Utah. He was accompanied by Megan Banta, a data enterprise reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune.