Kevin O'Leary disputes environmental impact claims from his massive Utah data center project

Kevin O'Leary, a prominent investor known from "Shark Tank," is actively disputing environmental concerns surrounding his proposed "Stratos Project" data center in Hansel Valley, Box Elder County, Utah. The massive 40,000-acre development has sparked worries among residents and local groups regarding its potential impact on air quality, water resources, and electricity consumption. O'Leary asserts that sustainability is central to his proposals, indicating plans to integrate both water-cooling and air-cooling technologies, and suggesting the potential use of renewable power sources like wind and solar, though current public plans point to natural gas from the Ruby Pipeline. At a recent Box Elder County commission meeting, commissioners and the Bear River Water Conservancy clarified that the water intended for the data center is privately owned, non-potable, and not currently utilized by local residents. O'Leary, who states he has a background in environmental studies, has also controversially claimed that the protesters at the meeting were bussed in and paid, though he did not identify who allegedly funded them.