‘Irresponsible’: backlash as Utah approves datacenter twice the size of Manhattan

A massive datacenter project named Stratos, set to span over 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, Utah, has been approved despite widespread public opposition. The facility, designed to support artificial intelligence operations, will require approximately 9 gigawatts of power—exceeding Utah’s entire current electricity consumption—and will draw significant water resources from an already drought-stricken region. The approval has sparked intense backlash from environmentalists and local residents concerned about the project’s environmental and ecological impacts. Critics warn that Stratos threatens the fragile ecosystem of the nearby Great Salt Lake, a critical habitat for migratory birds that is already shrinking due to water diversion and climate change. The lake’s decline has raised fears of toxic dust storms as its exposed lakebed dries, posing health risks to communities including Salt Lake City. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club’s Utah chapter, have condemned the project as “irresponsible and dangerous,” emphasizing the urgent need to restore the Great Salt Lake rather than further deplete its resources. The project is supported by venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, known for his role on the television show Shark Tank, who argues that Stratos will create thousands of jobs and bolster U.S. competitiveness in the global AI sector, particularly against China. O’Leary has dismissed concerns about water depletion, stating that the project will not “drain the Great Salt Lake” and will generate economic benefits. However, opponents contend that the environmental costs and increased carbon emissions—estimated to raise Utah’s pollution levels by about 50%—far outweigh any short-term economic gains. The approval of Stratos highlights the growing tension between technological development and environmental sustainability, especially in regions facing water scarcity and ecological stress. The project underscores broader debates about the impact of large-scale datacenters on rural communities and natural resources, raising questions about how to balance economic growth with responsible stewardship of the environment.