A plan to build a massive data center complex on 40,000 acres in Utah's Box Elder County has triggered a wave of public opposition, with residents raising alarms over the project's potential strain on the region's water and power supplies. The development, dubbed the Stratos Hyperscale Data Center, is backed by TV personality and businessman Kevin O'Leary and would span an area more than twice the size of Manhattan.
Box Elder County, home to over 60,000 residents, has become the latest battleground in a nationwide debate over the rapid expansion of data centers. At a May 4 commission meeting, hundreds of angry residents packed the room to voice their objections, and thousands of negative comments were submitted. Despite the initial postponement of a vote, county commissioners eventually approved the project, citing an "obligation" to move forward.
Environmental Concerns Loom Over Great Salt Lake
The project's location has amplified environmental worries, particularly regarding the Great Salt Lake, which has been shrinking due to prolonged drought and reduced snowpack. Critics argue that a data center of this scale, which would require significant electricity and water for cooling, could exacerbate the lake's decline. Resident Stephen Otterstrom told Slate, "In the past, one thing I could’ve agreed with [Utah governor Spencer Cox] on was that we need to save the lake. Now this puts into question whether there is any sincerity in that."
Residents also point to the experience of other communities that have welcomed data centers, where electricity prices have risen and water systems have come under stress. The noise pollution from such facilities is another recurring complaint.
Transparency and Legal Battles
The approval process has drawn sharp criticism for its lack of transparency. Salt Lake City resident Larry Curtis told Slate, "To me, and to other people I’ve talked to, it felt like it was done in the dark: backroom deals and assurances made with no transparency or government accountability." County attorneys have rejected a push for a referendum, arguing that voters do not have a legal say in the matter. Opponents, however, have indicated they will pursue legal action, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.
Stratos, the company behind the project, has sought to reassure the public by highlighting the creation of 2,000 permanent jobs. But critics contend that this figure is disproportionately small for a development of such magnitude.
Political Fallout
The intensity of the backlash has begun to shift political dynamics, with some local politicians who initially supported the project now distancing themselves. The issue has become a potential liability in upcoming elections, as public sentiment turns increasingly hostile.
The controversy in Box Elder County reflects a broader national trend, as communities across the country grapple with the trade-offs of data center development. While the demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, the local impacts—on resources, utilities, and quality of life—are prompting residents to demand a greater voice in the decision-making process.
