Concerns over transparency for Stratos data center project in Box Elder County
Opposition is growing against the proposed Stratos data center in Box Elder County, Utah, with hundreds protesting due to environmental, water, and energy concerns, as well as a lack of transparency in the development process. Residents are considering referendums and potential lawsuits to halt or delay the project, while local government transparency is also being scrutinized.
Opposition to the Stratos data center in Box Elder County, Utah, is intensifying, with hundreds of residents protesting at the state capitol over environmental, water, and energy impacts. Concerns also center on a perceived lack of transparency and public input regarding the project's development. Despite widespread public outcry, the project's approval process is well underway, leading many Utahns to question its legitimacy.
Former investigative reporter Debbie Dujanovic, now a KSL radio talk show host, has been investigating these concerns. She notes that residents are exploring various avenues to slow or stop the project, including two potential referendums currently in the application process and the possibility of lawsuits. The speed at which the project progressed before public awareness has fueled frustration among citizens from across the state.
Box Elder County Commissioner Perry recently engaged with news outlets to address initial questions, but the commissioners have since opted to temporarily refrain from direct interviews. Future public meetings and town halls related to the data center are slated to be at the discretion of Maida, a board whose members are not directly elected, prompting further concerns about adherence to public transparency laws. A public forum, sponsored by advocacy groups such as Grow the Flow, Box Elder Accountability Referendum (Bayer), and Stewardship Utah, is scheduled at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton to inform the public and discuss oversight.
Recent Desert News polling indicates that a majority of Utahns oppose the Stratos project, with seven out of ten believing environmental concerns outweigh potential economic benefits. Notably, rural voters express greater concern than their urban counterparts. The proposed data center is projected to cover approximately 40,000 acres, with 10,000 to 13,000 acres dedicated to buildings, including an estimated 60 buildings in its first phase, despite the Governor's assurances that its water usage would be less than current agricultural consumption in the area.