Commentary: Utah data center water use sparks debate amid drought
The article contrasts the abundant water in Rochester, New York, with the drought in Utah, where Kevin O'Leary's AI data center in Box Elder County is controversially approved. It criticizes the perceived hypocrisy of allowing a water-intensive project in a desert while residents are urged to conserve water, highlighting environmental concerns.
The article, a commentary by an author visiting Rochester, New York, contrasts the region's abundant rainfall with the severe drought conditions in Utah. The author criticizes the controversial approval of an AI data center in Box Elder County, Utah, linked to businessman Kevin O'Leary, often referred to as "Mr. Wonderful". Despite public opposition, described as "publicly despised" and involving "loudest protests," the data center was unanimously approved.
The author highlights the perceived hypocrisy of Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who urges citizens to conserve water while simultaneously welcoming a massive data center projected to significantly impact the local microclimate through heat island effects. The article questions the claims made by O'Leary regarding the data center's minimal water usage, especially in the context of Utah's drought emergency. The author suggests that solutions like underwater data centers, reportedly explored by China, offer a more logical approach to resource management than building large server farms in arid regions.