Box Elder County, Utah, commissioners to vote on controversial data center project

Box Elder County commissioners in Utah are preparing for a critical vote on a substantial data center proposal by O'Leary Digital, chaired by celebrity entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary. The project, spanning 40,000 acres, faces intense debate, with a decision expected at a special meeting on May 4 after previous discussions were tabled. Paul Palandjian, CEO of O'Leary Digital, asserts the data centers are crucial for national security, bolstering U.S. military access to AI and cloud-computing capabilities to counter adversaries like China. He also defends the project's environmental practices, stating they will use state-of-the-art water minimization technology and less water than current agricultural operations on the land. Palandjian controversially criticized opponents, calling them "paid thugs" responsible for "dangerous human safety issues." Opponents, including Thor Dorosh of Indivisible Ogden and Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, express deep concern over potential long-term environmental impacts. Their primary worries include the depletion of scarce water resources, which could further exacerbate low levels at the Great Salt Lake, and the plan for 7.5-9 gigawatts of power generation likely from natural gas-fired plants. They also highlight a lack of public studies on the development's effects. The Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) has already approved several resolutions for the "Stratos Project Area or Wonder Valley," and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox supports the initiative. However, the final approval rests with the Box Elder County Commission, who will weigh the remaining resolutions of support. Foes are planning a rally outside the upcoming meeting in Tremonton.