Box Elder County Approves Massive AI Datacenter

Spanning over 40,000 acres and requiring 9 GW of power, the Stratos AI project raises alarm over environmental impacts in drought-stricken Utah.

Project Overview

Box Elder County, Utah, has approved the Stratos AI datacenter—a sprawling development across three sites that covers more than 40,000 acres (62 square miles), making it over twice the size of Manhattan.

The facility will require approximately 9 gigawatts of power, exceeding Utah's total current electricity consumption.

The project also raises significant water usage concerns in a region already affected by severe drought, with potential consequences for the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.

Key Players and Reactions

Franque Bains of the Sierra Club's Utah chapter called the approval "irresponsible and dangerous" given the ongoing crisis at the Great Salt Lake.

Kevin O'Leary, the venture capitalist and TV personality involved in the project, claimed the datacenter will create jobs and help the U.S. compete with China in artificial intelligence. He asserted the project "won't drain the Great Salt Lake."

Opponents argue that any jobs created will not outweigh the long-term environmental and energy impacts.

Environmental Concerns

• An impact analysis suggests state planet-heating pollution could rise by approximately 50%.
• Physics professor Rob Davies estimated that waste heat from the facility could raise local daytime temperatures by 1.1–2.7°C and nighttime temperatures by 4.4–6.6°C.
• Environmentalists warn of harm to the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and critical migratory bird habitat.

Opposition and Referendum Effort

Nearly 4,000 objections were filed against the project.

The Box Elder Accountability Referendum group has filed for a referendum to reverse the approval, needing 5,422 signatures within 45 days for a November vote.

Local opponents rejected claims by O'Leary that protesters were paid outsiders.

Developer Actions and Controversy

Developers withdrew a water diversion application for 1,900 acre-feet but announced plans to resubmit a new application. This new application would require fresh objections—each requiring a $15 fee per complaint.

Opponents see this as an attempt to bypass public disapproval.

Governor's Response

Governor Spencer Cox stated the project must not harm the Great Salt Lake or raise power bills. He noted the project will be built in phases, starting at 2,000 acres, with future reviews required.

Broader Context

The growth of datacenters has been supported by the Trump administration and the AI industry, but local opposition has led to political victories for candidates skeptical of AI expansion.

Meanwhile, the Great Salt Lake is shrinking due to water diversion and climate change, posing risks of toxic dust clouds that could threaten public health across the region.

"The approval was irresponsible and dangerous given the lake's crisis."
— Franque Bains, Sierra Club, Utah chapter