One of the largest data centers in the country could come to the shores of Great Salt Lake, threatening wildlife habitat, requiring vast amounts of energy and water, and placing additional strain on an already-fragile ecosystem.
The 40,000-acre “Stratos Project” is expected to reach 9 gigawatts of power, which is more than double what the entire state of Utah currently uses. Projects at this scale require massive amounts of energy and water. And this one would be built in unincorporated Box Elder County in the Great Salt Lake basin, where every drop already matters.
Approval is sought by Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary—of Shark Tank fame, Alpine-based West GenCo, and Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority. The developers have cited access to water—about 3,000 acre-feet on-site and up to 10,000 acre-feet under contract—but key details remain unclear.
During a recent Box Elder County Commission meeting, project developers claimed that the facility will have “low” or “net zero” water use, through “zero water turbines.” But so far, there’s no publicly available hydrologic analysis or independent review to support those claims, and there haven’t been any manufacturers, technologies, or contracts cited in relation to the “zero water turbine” technology.
It’s also not confirmed how these supplies would meet full demand, since 13,000 acre-fee is only a fraction of the project’s estimated water demand.
What’s more, the developers claimed that “air quality models have been done” but no models were produced, no modeler was named, and no results were shared.
Box Elder County officials are being pressured to make a decision quickly on a 30-year agreement with no exit clause, so that the developers can secure investors and competitive positioning ahead of other states.
Amid questions, concerns, protests, and very little information, county leaders decided on Monday to delay their decision. The commissioners will now meet Monday, May 4 to take up the matter again.
We Need Your Help
If this proposed development concerns you, here are two immediate ways you can take action:
- Formally protest the water rights application tied to this project ($15)
- Go to: https://waterrights.utah.gov/protestOfApplication/protestOfApplication.asp
- Enter the application number: Water Right 13-4148
- Click “Get Info”
- “Change application” will auto-fill under “action to be protested”
- Fill out your information and your reason for protest
- You can reference concerns like:
- Harm to Great Salt Lake and wildlife
- Insufficient water for the project’s scale
- Lack of clear hydrologic or impact analysis
- Reliance on unproven assumptions
- Missing key details like long-term safeguards
- You can reference concerns like:
- Submit your protest
2. Make your voice heard at the County Commission meeting
Urge Box Elder County Commissioners to carefully consider the long-term impacts of this project and protect the water resources that Great Salt Lake depends on.
- When: Monday, May 4 at 4:00 pm
- Where: BEC Fairgrounds Fine Arts Building (320 N. 1000 W., Tremonton, UT)
