Utah Approves Controversial Datacenter Project Amid Environmental Concerns
‘Irresponsible’: backlash as Utah approves datacenter twice the size of Manhattan
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Utah has approved a massive datacenter project, Stratos, which will span over 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, raising concerns about its energy consumption and impact on water supplies. Critics argue it could exacerbate the ongoing crisis of the Great Salt Lake, while proponents claim it will create jobs and bolster the AI industry.
- 01Stratos datacenter will cover over 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, Utah.
- 02The facility will require approximately 9GW of power, exceeding the state's total consumption.
- 03Environmentalists warn it could harm the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and increase local temperatures.
- 04The project has faced significant public backlash, leading to a proposed referendum to reverse its approval.
- 05Utah's governor has mandated that the project must not harm the Great Salt Lake or raise electricity costs.
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Utah's approval of the Stratos datacenter project, which will span more than 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, has sparked significant public outcry due to concerns over its environmental impact. The facility is projected to require about 9GW of power, surpassing the entire state's energy consumption. Critics, including Franque Bains of the Sierra Club, argue that this project will exacerbate the ongoing crisis of the Great Salt Lake, which is already suffering from severe drought and shrinking due to agricultural water diversion and climate change. The datacenter could raise the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, leading to increased local temperatures by 2°F to 5°F during the day and 8°F to 12°F at night, according to physicist Rob Davies. Despite the backlash, venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary, who supports the project, claims it will create thousands of jobs and enhance the U.S. position in the AI sector. In response to public dissent, a group has filed for a referendum to reverse the county commissioners' approval, aiming to collect 5,422 signatures within 45 days. Governor Spencer Cox has stated that the project must not harm the Great Salt Lake or increase energy costs, emphasizing the need for responsible development aligned with Utah values.
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The Stratos datacenter could significantly strain Utah's already limited water resources and contribute to environmental degradation, affecting local communities and ecosystems.
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