Kevin O’Leary refutes claims that data center would drain Great Salt Lake

Kevin O'Leary, a prominent investor and TV personality, has publicly refuted allegations that his planned data center in Utah would deplete the Great Salt Lake. He described the negative narrative surrounding the project as "misinformation," emphasizing that such claims are ridiculous. The proposed data center, situated in Box Elder County, recently gained approval from county commissioners. However, it has been met with considerable public backlash from Utah residents, primarily driven by concerns about its environmental impact and water consumption. O'Leary has addressed these concerns directly, suggesting that the project's water rights could potentially benefit the Great Salt Lake and mentioning the possibility of utilizing air cooling technology, which would eliminate water use. The project's timing coincides with a period of heightened environmental awareness in Utah, following a warm winter and drought predictions. Governor Cox, who initially supported the project for its economic and national security benefits, later responded to mounting environmental pressure. He has since directed the Utah Department of Natural Resources to ensure that the developer employs the most environmentally sensitive cooling technology and publicly reports all water usage, guaranteeing that the project will not reduce water flow to the Great Salt Lake.