TREMONTON, Utah - A controversial data center project in Box Elder County has been approved despite significant public opposition. On Monday, the Box Elder County Commission unanimously voted to allow the project, which has sparked widespread concerns over its impact on water resources, energy consumption, and local ecosystems.
The approval came during a special meeting held at the county fairgrounds, which drew a large and vocal crowd. The commissioners passed two resolutions enabling the project to proceed. Resolution 26-12 establishes an "interlocal agreement" between Box Elder County and the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), while resolution 26-11 grants MIDA consent to move forward with the construction.
The proposed project, known as the "Stratos Project", involves a 40,000-acre data center campus in an unincorporated part of western Box Elder County. According to reports, the development is led by O'Leary Digital, a company owned by Kevin O'Leary, widely recognized as "Mr. Wonderful" from the television show Shark Tank. The data center has been touted as a major long-term development but has faced significant resistance from residents and environmental advocates.
Concerns over the project largely center around its heavy resource demands, particularly water usage. A representative from MIDA stated that the project would utilize a closed-loop water system and 3,000 acre-feet of on-site water, claiming the water source does not come from the Great Salt Lake. However, Rob Dubuc, counsel for Friends of the Great Salt Lake, countered, "There’s misunderstanding on what constitutes Great Salt Lake. A groundwater aquifer that feeds into the lake is absolutely critical to the lake. You can’t have it all; choices have to be made. Are we going to save the lake or not? It takes every drop."
Monday's meeting saw an emotionally charged atmosphere as residents filled the fairgrounds to express their disapproval. From the moment the session began, the commission faced loud boos and chants from the crowd. Commissioner Tyler Vincent attempted to address the audience, noting that the decision-making process was "far from over", but his remarks about the project’s supposed benefits were repeatedly interrupted by outbursts of shouting.
Representatives from the Bear River Water Conservancy and an outside attorney hired by the county were also met with jeers as they attempted to speak in favor of the project. The commissioners ultimately exited the meeting room after about 30 minutes due to the disruptive environment. They proceeded to conduct the vote virtually from a separate location, broadcasting their decision via a video feed.
Despite the commissioners' assurances that safeguards are in place for local residents, critics remain deeply skeptical. Commissioner Lee Perry emphasized that the resolutions include "guardrails" to protect the community, but many attendees voiced concerns about the lack of transparency and the rushed timeline for the project’s approval.
The Stratos Project is expected to take several years to complete, with developers planning to rely on on-site energy production using natural gas. However, environmental advocates continue to question the long-term sustainability of such a resource-intensive development in a region already facing significant ecological challenges.
As the project moves forward, the debate over its potential benefits and consequences is unlikely to subside, with local residents and environmental activists vowing to keep the issue in the public spotlight.
