CEO of massive AI data center in Box Elder responds

Paul Palandjian, CEO and co-founder of O'Leary Digital, has addressed concerns regarding the proposed Stratus data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, ahead of a crucial vote by the county commissioners. Palandjian emphasized the company's commitment to environmental sustainability, stating that the planned 9-gigawatt power plant for the data center would produce only 5% of the carbon emissions compared to similar facilities and is designed to operate without requiring water. He clarified that the data center itself would use a small amount of water in a closed-loop system, refuting the "myth" that data centers are inherently dirty. Palandjian also sought to alleviate aesthetic concerns about the large-scale project, which spans 40,000 acres, by promising an aesthetically pleasing design using clean materials. He highlighted plans for master planning to preserve hunting sanctuaries and include leaseback agreements with ranchers for continued grazing operations. The Box Elder County Commission is expected to vote on the project's approval, with the county set to receive energy tax revenues and retain a seat at the planning table. Despite these assurances, some residents remain concerned about the project's immense scale.