Billionaire Kevin O’Leary Faces Revolt Over Utah Data Center
Residents in Utah's Box Elder County are intensifying opposition to Kevin O'Leary's proposed $100 billion AI data center project. Following county approval, locals launched a referendum campaign to challenge the development, citing concerns over water usage, energy consumption, and lack of public input. The state's Governor has also called for a public water-use plan.
Public opposition is escalating in Box Elder County, Utah, against a proposed $100 billion AI data center project spearheaded by "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary. Despite O'Leary's assertion that the facility is vital for U.S. competitiveness against China, residents, organized under the Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR) and led by locals like Brenna Williams, are actively working to halt the project after it received county approval.
Organizers initially believed a challenge at the county level was impossible but later discovered the option for a referendum. County officials are now reviewing their application, and if approved, supporters must collect 5,422 signatures across four areas to place the issue on the ballot. While county officials indicate the project could still proceed even if the referendum passes, it might lead to the loss of negotiated county protections.
Opponents argue the approval process was rushed and lacked sufficient public input, with only two percent of public comments supporting the project. Significant environmental concerns have been raised, with Utah State University physics professor Robert Davies warning that the data center could generate substantial energy, potentially increasing local temperatures and exacerbating drought conditions affecting the Great Salt Lake. Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox has also called for a public water-use plan for the project. This local controversy mirrors a broader national trend of resistance to energy-intensive AI infrastructure developments.