Protesters Decry Lack of Transparency, Warn of Environmental Impact From Box Elder Data Center
The proposal would create 4,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs while drawing protests over water use and tax breaks, officials said.
- On Monday, May 4, the Box Elder County Commission voted unanimously to approve a hyperscale data center and energy project backed by the Military Installation Development Authority and investor Kevin O'Leary.
- The Stratos Project Area spans 40,000 acres in Hansel Valley and aims to bolster U.S. military artificial intelligence capabilities while generating about 2,000 permanent jobs, according to state boosters.
- Roughly 500 protesters rallied outside the meeting to voice concerns over potential environmental impacts, particularly water depletion threatening the Great Salt Lake . Opponents cited lack of studies and public information on the development's effects.
- Developers plan to power the facility using natural gas via the Ruby Pipeline, with the county projected to receive more than $100 million annually at full capacity, MIDA executive director Paul Morris said.
- Lingering questions regarding transparency and potential environmental litigation remain as the project faces a timeline of about 10 years to fully build, with formal water rights protests already filed with state engineers.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Protesters decry lack of transparency, warn of environmental impact from Box Elder data center
TREMONTON, Utah In a "special" meeting Monday afternoon, the Box Elder County Commission voted unanimously to allow a massive data center project to move forward.But the decision by the three commissioners is not the final say in the matter. There have already been formal protests filed with state engineers, and there is also the possibility of environmental litigation.But it was still a difficult round one for many of those who showed up at the…
Rural residents push back as data center vote nears in Box Elder County
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