One of the worst proposals for a Data Center yet

Shark Tank’s Canadian billionaire, Kevin O’Leary, has named Utah as a target for a less than exciting “investment.” He applauded Utah State officials for their eagerness to volunteer our great state for a ‘hyperscale’ data center. 

The development is proposed for 40,000 acres in Box Elder County.

Most of us know by now the many many environmental and health issues associated with data centers. People in communities with data centers have been speaking out about issues with their water quality, noise pollution, energy use, and climate changes like raising local temperatures as far out as 6 miles from these facilities, including temperature spikes as high as 16 degrees above background,. 

In just the initial phase this particular project would use nearly as much energy as the entire state’s current average electricity use. At full build out, it would be more than double our current electricity use. 

Oh yeah, developers would get a huge tax break too. A Utah board agreed to cut the usual 6% energy tax to almost nothing, at .5%, as if the Canadian billionaire behind it needs tax breaks that no one can get.

The Box Elder County Commission held a meeting earlier this week. Although they did not allow public comment, the room was PACKED with concerned residents. The Commission voted to revisit the issue and hear public comment on Monday, May 4th.

This is a pivotal moment. Decisions made in the coming days will shape air quality, water resources, and public health across Utah for decades. Projects of this scale don’t just stay in Box Elder County; their impacts ripple statewide, affecting everything from energy demand to pollution burdens in our communities.  The pollution from this hyper-scale data center will be inhaled throughout the Wasatch Front.

Now is the time to speak up. Call your state legislators and reach out to Governor Spencer Cox to make it clear that Utahns expect responsible, health-protective decision-making, not rushed approvals and hand outs to billionaires. If you have friends or family in Box Elder County, urge them to continuously call and email their County Commission and show up on May 4th. Local voices carry real weight right now.

The new vote is Monday May 4 at 4:00 p.m. The location has moved to accommodate the expected crowd:

📍 Box Elder County Fairgrounds — Fine Arts Building 320 North 1000 West, Tremonton, Utah 84337