Kevin O'Leary agrees to scale down data center
Kevin O'Leary, an investor in the Stratos data center project, has agreed to significantly scale down the proposed development in Box Elder County, Utah. This decision follows a demand letter from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, addressing public concerns over water consumption and environmental impacts. The project remains in preliminary stages and will undergo further permitting and environmental review.
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams announced that Kevin O'Leary, an investor in the controversial Stratos data center project in Box Elder County, has agreed to significantly scale down the proposed development. O'Leary's concessions include reducing the project area and dedicating new water to the Great Salt Lake, addressing concerns from residents about water consumption and environmental impacts. These agreements follow a June 1 demand letter from Adams, which publicly called for these changes.
Initially, O'Leary had criticized Adams' request for a 75% reduction, but later offered a compromise. The current agreement reflects a reduction from 40,000 acres to approximately 10,000-20,000 acres, with specific areas near Locomotive Springs and I-84 being removed. Adams emphasized that the project is still in its earliest stages, with no formal approvals or permits yet applied for, and will be subject to a full permitting and independent environmental review process.
Additional commitments outlined by Adams include the use of heat-capture technology, scientific and engineering reviews of environmental impacts, and the creation of a centralized public website for transparency. This website will provide access to project information, environmental analyses, and updates throughout the development process. Adams credited public involvement for driving these meaningful changes and ensuring accountability.