What’s happening in Utah
Utah is now home to the most controversial data center project in American history. On May 4, 2026, the Box Elder County Commission unanimously approved the Stratos Project — a 40,000-acre AI data center campus in Hansel Valley that would be roughly 2.5 times the size of Manhattan. The project is backed by billionaire investor Kevin O’Leary (“Mr. Wonderful” from Shark Tank) and Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA).
The numbers are staggering: 9 gigawatts of power demand at full buildout — more than twice what the entire state of Utah currently uses (approximately 4–5 GW). A Utah State University physicist estimated the project could raise the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50% and increase Hansel Valley temperatures by 5°F during the day and up to 28°F at night. The thermal load has been described as the equivalent of 23 atomic bombs worth of energy dumped into the local environment every single day.
Some 400 protesters packed a meeting relocated to the county fairgrounds in Tremonton, holding signs reading “No data center,” “You can’t drink data,” “Don’t sell us out,” and “Save our water.” Commissioner Lee Perry said the meetings left him “physically sick,” citing death threats. O’Leary dismissed protesters on social media, claiming “over 90% of the protesters are actually not people that live in Utah or Box Elder County. They’re being bussed in.”
A group called the Box Elder Accountability Referendum is now collecting signatures to force a public vote in November. They need 5,422 registered voters to sign within 45 days. Referendum leader Brenna Williams responded to O’Leary: “The only thing he’s right about is that we don’t want him, an out-of-state billionaire, making decisions for us.”
The first phase (2,000 acres, 3 GW) could begin within months. Power would be generated on-site using natural gas tied to an existing pipeline. Governor Spencer Cox has stated he will require the project to avoid harming the Great Salt Lake or raising power costs for the public. Experts have challenged O’Leary’s job projections — evidence from other projects suggests data center job growth is almost entirely short-term construction work.
Why Utah residents are concerned
Water supply. A single hyperscale data center can consume up to 1 million gallons of water per day during peak cooling operations — equivalent to the daily water use of approximately 10,000 homes. Nationally, AI data centers consumed roughly 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, projected to reach 68 billion gallons by 2028.
Electricity rates. Data centers draw continuous, massive power loads — 50 to 300+ megawatts per facility. Without dedicated rate structures, residential ratepayers absorb the cost of grid upgrades needed to serve these industrial loads. At least 18 states have introduced bills in 2026 creating special rate classes for large energy users.
Property values. Research consistently shows that proximity to industrial infrastructure — including data centers — negatively impacts residential property values. Windowless warehouse-scale buildings, diesel generators, continuous noise, and industrial traffic are incompatible with residential neighborhoods.
Noise. Data center cooling systems and backup generators produce persistent low-frequency noise that operates 24/7. Residents near facilities in Virginia, Georgia, and across the country report sleep disruption, elevated stress, and degraded quality of life.
Environment. Data centers generate diesel emissions from backup generators, increase impervious surface coverage causing stormwater runoff, and create heat island effects. Construction permanently removes land from agricultural or ecological use.
How to oppose a data center in Utah
Attend your county commission or city council meetings. Local elected officials control zoning and land use decisions. Public comment periods are your most direct opportunity to voice opposition. Bring specific concerns — water impact, property values, electricity rates, noise — and reference relevant state and local legislation.
Send a formal opposition letter. Written opposition becomes part of the public record and carries significant weight with commissioners. Letters should cite specific concerns, reference relevant statutes, and be addressed to every commissioner by name. We handle this for you →
Organize your neighbors. Join or create a local opposition group. More than 268 community groups across 37 states are actively fighting data center developments. Strength in numbers changes votes.
Engage state legislators. Contact your state representative and senator. Tell them you support regulatory frameworks that protect communities from data center impacts — including moratoriums, ratepayer protections, and environmental review requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How can I oppose a data center in Utah?
Attend your county commission or city council meetings, submit formal opposition letters to your elected officials, and engage with state-level legislation. More than 268 community groups across 37 states are actively fighting data center developments. We can research your local officials and send a personalized opposition letter on your behalf for you.
How much water does a data center use?
A single hyperscale data center can consume up to 1 million gallons of water per day during peak cooling. AI data centers consumed roughly 17 billion gallons nationally in 2023, projected to reach 68 billion gallons by 2028.
Do data centers lower property values?
Research consistently shows that proximity to industrial infrastructure — including data centers — can negatively impact residential property values. Windowless warehouse-scale buildings, diesel generators, and continuous noise are incompatible with residential neighborhoods.