Utah’s Hyperscale Data Center Slashed After Backlash and Water Fears

The Stratos hyperscale data center project in Box Elder County, Utah, originally planned to span about 40,000 acres, has been cut by half to roughly 20,000 acres after intense local protests over water use, electricity costs, and environmental risks. Developer Kevin O’Leary acknowledged missteps and is taking a more hands-on approach to communications to rebuild trust, with the project now requiring full permitting and environmental reviews before construction. While officials hail the compromise as a potential model for transparent development, critics say trust is already eroded and questions remain about the project’s total capacity and local impacts.