Full Breakdown
Kevin O’Leary’s Utah Data Center Stirs Opposition and State Review
6/14/2026, 10:26:30 PM
Project Overview and Background
Investor Kevin O’Leary, through O’Leary Digital and West GenCo LLC, proposes the Stratos Project—a data center dubbed “Wonder Valley”—on roughly 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, Utah, a remote valley near the Great Salt Lake.
Key Figures and Groups
Key actors are Kevin O’Leary; Gov. Spencer J. Cox; Senate President J. Stuart Adam; Box Elder County commissioners; local resident Frank Musil; and environmental groups. Potential tenants include AI firms OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Meta.
Timeline of Key Events
In Jan 2026 O’Leary announced the project to Gov. Cox; in May 2026 County commissioners approved the site, prompting protests; Senate President Adam demanded a 75 % footprint cut; June 23 2026 project dominated Utah’s primary.
Data and Statistics
The project envisions up to 9 GW of power, with an initial 1.4 GW phase. Box Elder County has ~60,000 residents; the Great Salt Lake recedes. A June poll shows only one-third of Americans favor rapid AI-data-center growth, while 80 % of Box Elder voters backed Trump in 2020.
Why It Matters
Supporters argue the center will supply compute for U.S. AI firms, create jobs and boost the economy, keeping the nation ahead in a global AI, economic and military race. Critics warn of wildlife disruption, water depletion, air-quality decline and community displacement.
Official Statements and Responses
Gov. Cox’s executive order raises the bar for new data-center approvals. Senate President Adam’s letter demands a 75 % reduction and environmental safeguards. Box Elder County commissioners approved the site despite opposition. Arizona paused data-center tax exemptions; Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker halted similar incentives.
Criticism and Opposition
Residents filed petitions, crowded planning meetings, sued, and protested at the Utah State Capitol in May, citing threats to wildlife, water and air quality. Frank Musil, a local substitute teacher, says he will vote against any incumbent supporting the project.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
One source says most large AI data centers cap at about 1 GW, while another lists facilities of 300,000–500,000 MW, a stark size discrepancy. O’Leary’s claim of negligible environmental impact conflicts with local concerns, and his allegation of a Chinese disinformation campaign lacks evidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't tap out. I don't even know what that means. That's never going to happen with me,” — Kevin O’Leary, investor.
- “There are bumps in the road. There's litigation. There's misinformation. There's propaganda. You name it. But if you know what you're doing is right, you make it, you get there,” — Kevin O’Leary.
- “We're only going to build 1.4 gigawatts to start, which is sort of like a test kitchen,” — Kevin O’Leary.
- “I’m getting rid of them,” — Frank Musil, substitute teacher and Republican voter, Box Elder County.
What’s Next
O’Leary will start the 1.4 GW phase while negotiating further cuts. Ongoing lawsuits and the June 23 2026 primary will shape state support. Future expansion depends on regulatory clearance and community acceptance.
