Kevin O’Leary’s Massive Utah Data Center Approved Despite Furious Protests Over Water, Power, and Environmental Fears

The Box Elder County Commission in Utah has unanimously approved the controversial Stratos mega data center project, backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, after a tense public meeting. The decision, delayed for a week due to growing backlash, saw hundreds of residents protesting against the development, citing concerns over water rights, energy consumption, and environmental impact on the Great Salt Lake. Opponents, carrying signs reading "NO data center" and "You can't drink data," expressed fears that the 40,000-acre hyperscale AI data campus in Hansel Valley would strain Utah's already limited water resources and fragile ecosystem. Protests escalated to the point where commissioners temporarily left the room, continuing the meeting virtually amidst shouts of "Shame!" from the public. Despite the opposition, project supporters argued the facility is a national security and economic necessity, aligning with a federal push for AI infrastructure. They claimed the campus would generate its own 3-9 gigawatts of power using natural gas systems and employ a closed-loop water recycling system. However, critics remained unconvinced, highlighting the immense land, water, and energy demands of AI expansion. The approval reflects a broader national debate over balancing technological growth with environmental and community concerns.