Utah Data Center Project Halved Amid Intense Local Protests Over Environmental Concerns
A major data center project in Utah, initially planned to be nearly three times the size of Manhattan, has been significantly reduced in scope following strong local opposition. The Stratos data center project, spearheaded by venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, faced backlash primarily due to concerns over water usage, potential increases in electricity bills, and risks to air quality and local wildlife. Residents of Box Elder County, where the project was to be located, were particularly worried about the impact on the Great Salt Lake. In response to these concerns, O’Leary has agreed to cut the project size by 50%, reducing the development area from 40,000 acres to about 20,000 acres, with 10,000 acres remaining undeveloped. This decision came after Utah Senate President Stuart Adams requested a 75% reduction in the project's scope. 
