Utah Senator Adams Announces Data Center Developer Agrees to 75% Project Reduction in Box Elder County
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams announced that developer Kevin O'Leary has agreed to significantly reduce the size of a proposed 40,000-acre data center in Box Elder County by 75% to 10,000 acres, following Adams' demands. This agreement comes amidst public scrutiny and legislative efforts to regulate data center development in Utah, particularly regarding energy and water usage. The project still requires numerous permits and approvals, with Adams advocating for a public-facing website to ensure transparency and educated public involvement.
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams announced a significant development regarding a contentious 40,000-acre data center project in Box Elder County, stating that developer Kevin O'Leary has agreed to reduce its footprint by 75%, bringing the proposed size down to 10,000 acres. This concession follows Adams' demands, which he articulated during an interview with the Standard-Examiner editorial board, calling the data center project a major issue in the 2026 primary season.
Adams justified the reduction by stating that 10,000 acres is