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O'Leary Digital

Data Center Signal is tracking 83 clips about O'Leary Digital data center developments across 1 states, including UT.

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opposition92%
environmental83%
government82%
water69%
electricity60%
zoning58%
legal22%
announcement14%
moratorium4%
Utah planned the world’s biggest data center. Then came the bipartisan pushback.
News ClipThe Christian Science Monitor·Hansel Valley, Box Elder County, UT

Utah planned the world’s biggest data center. Then came the bipartisan pushback.$

The Stratos Project, a massive data center proposed for Box Elder County, Utah, is facing intense bipartisan opposition due to its unprecedented scale, high electricity and water consumption, and potential environmental impact on the Great Salt Lake. Locals have filed a referendum and an appeal after county officials approved the project without typical public input or environmental reviews. The legal challenge against the project's approval is ongoing, with political leaders facing backlash.

zoningoppositionenvironmentalelectricitywaterlegalgovernment
9/1/2026
O'Leary Digital Plans Massive Data Center in Utah, Faces Local Opposition
News ClipThe Free Press·Box Elder County, UT

O'Leary Digital Plans Massive Data Center in Utah, Faces Local Opposition

O'Leary Digital, a company associated with investor Kevin O'Leary, announced plans for an unprecedented 40,000-acre data center in an unincorporated part of Box Elder County, Utah. Despite assurances regarding environmental design and tax benefits, the project, dubbed Project Stratos, has quickly generated opposition from locals concerned about its environmental impact and the lack of transparency in its announcement.

announcementoppositionenvironmentalwatergovernment
7/28/2026
Stratos Data Center in Box Elder County, Utah, Faces Water Usage Concerns
News ClipFOX 13 News Utah·Snowville, Box Elder County, UT

Stratos Data Center in Box Elder County, Utah, Faces Water Usage Concerns

The Stratos data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, developed by Kevin O'Leary's O'Leary Digital, is facing strong opposition due to concerns over its extensive water usage. Opponents, including the group Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR), argue that the data center's estimated consumption of 1,800 acre-feet annually, equivalent to 5,000 homes, will negatively impact the already dwindling Great Salt Lake and regional groundwater resources. The developer maintains the project will not be a net negative for the Great Salt Lake and will use efficient recirculating cooling systems.

wateroppositionenvironmentalgovernment
7/17/2026
MIDA board member, officials address public concerns over Stratos Project
News Clip1:04ABC4 Utah·Box Elder County, UT

MIDA board member, officials address public concerns over Stratos Project

A public forum in Box Elder County, Utah, addressed concerns over the controversial Stratos Project data center, developed by MIDA and O'Leary Digital. Public sentiment against data centers is strong, leading to the ousting of officials involved with the project in recent primary elections. Discussions focused on future public oversight and accountability.

oppositiongovernment
7/15/2026
'Sacred,' 'pristine': Data center foes redouble calls to protect area where facility would be built
News ClipKSL.com·Box Elder County, UT

'Sacred,' 'pristine': Data center foes redouble calls to protect area where facility would be built

Opponents of a proposed data center in Box Elder County, Utah, led a media tour to highlight environmental concerns regarding water usage and its impact on the Great Salt Lake. The project, spearheaded by Kevin O'Leary, continues to face strong opposition and legal challenges from critics despite previous political changes. Concerns also extend to the extensive power-generating capacity associated with the development.

oppositionenvironmentallegalelectricity
7/14/2026
Advocacy groups schedule Stratos Data Center public forum in Brigham City on July 14
News ClipCache Valley Daily·Brigham City, Box Elder County, UT

Advocacy groups schedule Stratos Data Center public forum in Brigham City on July 14

Advocacy groups Box Elder Accountability Referendum (B.E.A.R.) and Grow the Flow are hosting a public forum in Brigham City, Utah, to update residents on the proposed Stratos Data Center Project in Box Elder County. The groups are actively opposing the development in Utah courts and have influenced recent local elections. The forum will feature scientists, community leaders, and Clearfield City Mayor Mark Shepard.

oppositionannouncementlegal
7/7/2026
Utah Senator, Fox News Apologize for Linking Data Center Opponents to China
News ClipKSL NewsRadio·Box Elder County, UT

Utah Senator, Fox News Apologize for Linking Data Center Opponents to China

Utah Sen. Todd Weiler, Kevin O'Leary, and Fox News have issued apologies and clarifications regarding false allegations that opponents of the Box Elder County data center project are linked to China. Businessman Kevin O'Leary, through O'Leary Digital, had suggested groups like Alliance for a Better Utah and Elevate Strategies were "proxies for the Chinese government" in their opposition, claims now retracted due to lack of evidence. The data center project itself faces opposition over environmental and water resource concerns.

oppositionenvironmentalgovernment
7/1/2026
Stratos Center controversy sparks leadership shake-up at Military Installation Development Authority
News ClipCache Valley Daily·Box Elder County, UT

Stratos Center controversy sparks leadership shake-up at Military Installation Development Authority

The Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) is undergoing a leadership change, with Dan Hemmert replacing Paul Morris as executive director, following widespread controversy surrounding the proposed Stratos Data Center Project in Box Elder County, Utah. The project has faced significant public opposition, leading to the defeat of incumbent county commissioners and Utah Senate President Stuart Adams in recent primary elections. MIDA and O'Leary Digital had driven the initiative, which was green-lit by county commissioners despite protests.

oppositiongovernmentzoningenvironmental
7/1/2026
Data center developers move forward despite voter backlash aimed at Sen. Adams, others
News ClipKSL.com·Box Elder County, UT

Data center developers move forward despite voter backlash aimed at Sen. Adams, others

O'Leary Digital plans to continue its Box Elder County data center project despite recent voter backlash that led to the defeat of three Utah politicians who supported the plans. The opposition group BEAR is pursuing two lawsuits to halt the project, while newly elected officials express skepticism about its handling and potential tax breaks.

oppositiongovernmentenvironmentallegalzoning
6/25/2026
New poll: Kevin O’Leary’s fast-tracked Utah data center sparks voter revolt
News ClipDeseret News·Box Elder County, UT

New poll: Kevin O’Leary’s fast-tracked Utah data center sparks voter revolt

A new poll reveals a significant increase in voter opposition, particularly among Republicans, to Kevin O'Leary's 'Stratos Project' data center in Box Elder County, Utah. This backlash led to the unseating of long-serving state and county officials who supported the project's fast-tracked approval. Despite the political upheaval, the data center project is continuing to pursue necessary permits.

zoningoppositionenvironmentalgovernmentelectricitywater
6/25/2026
Box Elder County commissioners who voted for data center project trailing in primary voting
News ClipKSL.com·Box Elder County, UT

Box Elder County commissioners who voted for data center project trailing in primary voting

Two Box Elder County commissioners, Lee Perry and Boyd Bingham, are trailing in their primary election bids after voting in favor of a controversial data center project. The project, a collaboration between O'Leary Digital and Utah's Military Installation Development Authority, faced significant public opposition over environmental concerns and its proposed 9-gigawatt power capacity.

oppositiongovernmentenvironmentalelectricityzoning
6/24/2026
Lawmakers and investors link data center opposition to foreign influence; Utah project faces lawsuit
News ClipRead Lion·Box Elder County, UT

Lawmakers and investors link data center opposition to foreign influence; Utah project faces lawsuit

Lawmakers and investors are claiming foreign influence, potentially from China, is fueling intense local opposition to data center developments across the U.S. This comes as communities express concerns over energy, water, and environmental impacts, and a lawsuit has been filed in Utah against a data center project involving Kevin O'Leary.

oppositionlegalgovernmentelectricitywaterzoningenvironmental
OpenAIMicrosoft
6/17/2026
Claims of Chinese influence in US data center opposition
News ClipNPR·Box Elder County, UT

Claims of Chinese influence in US data center opposition

Tech millionaires and some government officials are promoting a theory that China is funding local opposition to US data center projects, despite a lack of direct evidence. This includes Canadian investor Kevin O'Leary, who accused two Utah-based groups of acting on behalf of the Chinese government against his Stratos data center project in Box Elder County, which they deny. While OpenAI did ban some Chinese accounts for generating anti-data center content, it noted their limited impact, and independent researchers have found little evidence of a coordinated Chinese campaign.

oppositiongovernmentlegalelectricityzoning
OpenAI
6/10/2026
Box Elder County poll finds that large majority, 71% of respondents, oppose data center plans
News ClipKSL News·Brigham City, Box Elder County, UT

Box Elder County poll finds that large majority, 71% of respondents, oppose data center plans

A new poll in Box Elder County, Utah, reveals that 71% of residents oppose a proposed data center project and 74% disapprove of the approval process. Amidst this strong opposition, which includes a lawsuit filed by a local group, county officials are now considering a six-month moratorium on new data center proposals.

oppositionmoratoriumgovernmentlegalelectricitywaterzoning
6/10/2026
Box Elder County commissioners face data center questions in their reelection bids
News ClipKSL News·Box Elder County, UT

Box Elder County commissioners face data center questions in their reelection bids

Two Box Elder County commissioners, Lee Perry and Boyd Bingham, are facing reelection challenges primarily due to their votes in favor of the controversial Stratos Area data center project in Hansel Valley. Opponents are actively campaigning against them and have filed a lawsuit to force a public vote on the resolutions that allowed the project to proceed.

oppositiongovernmentzoningenvironmentalelectricitylegal
6/9/2026
Second lawsuit takes aim at Box Elder County data center project
News ClipKSL.com·Box Elder County, UT

Second lawsuit takes aim at Box Elder County data center project

A second lawsuit has been filed in Salt Lake County challenging the Box Elder County data center project, alleging state and county officials' approval processes violate the Utah Constitution. This new suit, filed by Alliance for a Better Utah, targets the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and county commissioners, also naming state senators serving on the MIDA board. Opponents are concerned about environmental impacts, water scarcity, and public health, arguing the project was rushed.

legaloppositionenvironmentalgovernment
6/6/2026
News ClipKVNU·Brigham City, Box Elder County, UT

Group spearheading data center opposition slates celebratory rally in Brigham City on June 13

The Box Elder Accountability Referendum (B.E.A.R.) group is holding a celebratory rally in Brigham City, Utah, after achieving several successes in their opposition to O’Leary Digital's Stratos Project data center. These victories include the withdrawal of groundwater applications, a gubernatorial executive order on data center guidelines, and a call for project reduction. Additionally, B.E.A.R. has filed a legal appeal to place the project on the local ballot.

oppositiongovernmentlegalwaterzoning
6/5/2026
Utah Data Center Project Reduced by Half After Public Opposition
News ClipArs Technica·Box Elder County, UT

Utah Data Center Project Reduced by Half After Public Opposition

A massive data center project, the Stratos data center, in Box Elder County, Utah, has been cut in half from its original plans due to intense local backlash. Developer Kevin O'Leary, chair of O’Leary Digital, cited public outrage over water usage, electricity concerns, and environmental impacts as reasons for the reduction. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams also pressured O'Leary to scale down the project.

oppositionwaterelectricityenvironmentalgovernment
6/5/2026