A massive data center project in Utah, initially planned to be nearly three times the size of Manhattan, has been scaled back by 50% following intense local opposition. Residents were primarily concerned about water usage threatening the Great Salt Lake, with many paying to formally oppose water rights transfers. Project leader Kevin O'Leary admitted to mishandling community engagement, while state officials had requested an even larger 75% reduction in the project's scope.
Background
Large-scale data center projects are increasingly facing opposition due to their significant environmental impact, particularly regarding water usage for cooling and high energy consumption. These facilities are essential for cloud computing and AI development but often strain local resources.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Jun 6, 2026 at 02:23 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10