Utah Residents Protest AI Data Center Project Backed by Kevin O'Leary Over Environmental Concerns
Residents in rural Utah are protesting a proposed AI data center project backed by investor Kevin O'Leary. The project, approved by Box Elder County commissioners, involves constructing a 9-gigawatt data center and a natural gas plant on a 40,000-acre site. The development is supported by Utah's Military Installation Development Authority and aims to boost the local economy and national security. However, residents are concerned about the environmental impact, including potential strain on the local ecosystem and increased electricity costs. A group of voters is seeking to add a referendum to the local ballot to overturn the project's approval, requiring over 5,000 signatures. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and generate significant tax revenue, but community members demand more transparency and environmental impact studies. 
