Experts warn Utah’s desert could resemble harsher climates if a major data center is developed

Utah data center plan sparks alarm

A huge data center proposal in rural Utah has drawn strong concern because of its size, power needs, water questions, and possible heat effects near the Great Salt Lake.

The Stratos Project would cover 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, making it one of the most ambitious and controversial development plans now facing Utah leaders.

A project on a massive scale

The proposed data center is described as a hyperscale project, a term used for enormous facilities that support cloud computing, AI systems, and heavy digital workloads.

Developers say the site could eventually need 9 gigawatts of power, more than double Utah’s current electricity use, which has raised serious questions about local impacts, planning, and oversight.

Heat worries stand out

Robert Davies, a physics professor at Utah State University, warned that the finished project could create a large heat island in Hansel Valley.

His early calculations suggest nighttime temperatures could rise by as much as 28 degrees Fahrenheit, a change experts say could reshape the high-desert environment around nearby ranches, plants, wildlife, soil, water, and farms.

Climate comparison raises concern

Ben Abbott, an ecology professor at Brigham Young University, reviewed Davies’ estimates and said the shift could resemble the difference between Utah’s semi-arid climate and the Sahara Desert.

That warning does not mean the valley would become identical to the Sahara, but experts fear the added heat could change the landscape and daily conditions there.

Great Salt Lake adds pressure

The proposed site sits near the northern tip of the shrinking Great Salt Lake, which has already raised concern because the exposed lakebed can send dust toward populated areas.

Opponents say placing a large, hot, and possibly water-intensive development nearby feels risky, while Utah is spending millions to help the lake recover and protect residents nearby.

Little-known fact: Utah’s proposed Stratos data center could eventually need 9 gigawatts of power and raise the state’s carbon emissions by an estimated 64%

Water needs remain unclear

The project’s full water demand is still unknown, but developers have discussed buying water rights tied to the site and the nearby town of Snowville.

Austin Pritchett of West GenCo said the plan includes about 3,000 acre-feet of on-site rights and 10,000 acre-feet under contract if needed later for operations and backup uses.

A pulled application may return

Utah’s Division of Water Rights first received an application tied to the project seeking to transfer 1,900 acre-feet of water from irrigation use to industrial use for a natural-gas power plant and data center. That request was withdrawn after nearly 4,000 protests were filed, but representatives said Bar H Ranch intended to resubmit with additional supporting information.

A second, smaller water rights change application was later filed and withdrawn by May 27, keeping water rights and public input at the center of the Stratos debate. The shifting applications have added pressure on developers to clarify the project’s long-term water plan.

Power plans point to gas

State supporters have said Stratos would build its own power plant, with fuel likely coming from the Ruby Pipeline, which runs through the area.

Officials said Box Elder County’s Hansel Valley was chosen partly because of that natural gas corridor, linking the project’s location directly to its expected power strategy and unusually large scale nearby.

Carbon estimates draw attention

The project could raise Utah’s carbon emissions by 64%, according to estimates cited in the report, adding another concern for residents watching energy development.

Critics say that kind of increase deserves careful review, especially when the project would use massive on-site power generation to serve data center operations in the desert valley long-term plans.

Public backlash grows quickly

The project moved into public view in late March and April, when MIDA formally presented it to Box Elder County officials and later outlined the full proposal at an April 22 commission meeting. Commissioners tabled a decision on April 27 and voted on May 4 in favor of resolutions related to the interlocal agreement and the proposed project area.

About 1,500 people attended the May 4 special commission meeting, and public comment was not allowed at that final vote. The process fueled anger among residents who wanted more public questions answered before local approvals moved ahead.

Governor seeks clearer answers

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has walked back some earlier support after intense public pushback over the Stratos Project and its possible effects on rural communities.

He wrote that people are asking real questions about water, air quality, energy, land use, and long-term impacts on rural Utah, and said residents should expect accountability and clear standards.

O’Leary defends the project

Kevin O’Leary, whose O’Leary Digital Limited is involved in the project, downplayed environmental fears during an interview with CNN.

He said Stratos is not going to destroy air quality or drain the Great Salt Lake, while critics continue pushing for more evidence, public review, and clear limits before construction moves closer to reality there soon.

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Utah faces a bigger choice

The Stratos Project has turned a rural Utah development plan into a statewide debate about data centers, water, heat, energy, and the future of the Great Salt Lake.

Experts warn the scale could change Hansel Valley’s desert climate, while supporters see economic development. Utah leaders still face pressure to prove the project is safe for communities.

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Do you think water and climate concerns should slow large data center projects in Utah? Let us know in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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