Developer Kevin O’Leary has agreed to reduce the size of his proposed data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, from 41,200 acres to 20,050 acres following backlash from state leaders and residents. The decision comes after Utah Senate President Stuart Adams demanded the project be scaled back to 10,000 acres, citing concerns over water usage, environmental impact, and lack of public input.
O’Leary’s concession includes removing two parcels of land from the project and committing to a memorandum of understanding with the Utah Department of Natural Resources to protect wildlife, agriculture, and open space. He also agreed to minimize water consumption, incorporate heat-capture technology, and create a website for project updates. Adams called the move a "positive step forward" in the debate.
The backlash against the project has been fueled by protests, negative media coverage, and skepticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Critics argue the project could strain local resources and harm the environment, while supporters, including Governor Spencer Cox, have defended it as an economic opportunity. O’Leary has maintained that the project will produce its own electricity and divert excess water to the Great Salt Lake, addressing some of the concerns raised.