BOX ELDER COUNTY — The proposed Stratos Project data center in Box Elder County, Utah, was reduced by 75 percent following public opposition and criticism from local and federal officials. The proposal initially sought to consume more than twice the electricity currently used by Utah, and developers had requested water rights for 13,000 acre-feet of groundwater.

Scientists, environmental groups, and citizens opposed the project due to concerns about wildlife impacts and Great Salt Lake water levels. Utah residents protested the proposed data center, with one resident distributing yard signs stating that a home identifies as a data center and will use unlimited water. Environmental advocate Caroline Gleich criticized the state's approach to water conservation efforts. Gleich said, "The governor goes on and tells us to pray for snow and to pray for rain, and that we all need to do everything we can, and in the next breath is partnering with Kevin O'Leary to fast-track this data center under the guise of national security." She added, "And when the wind picks up, it blows toxic dust into the air."

Utah Governor Spencer Cox issued a statewide emergency declaration due to drought conditions in May. "We can't control the weather, but we can control the tap," Cox said. State officials have since asked Utah residents to conserve water, and the governor signed an executive order creating a statewide data center framework to address water consumption. Investors for the Stratos Project state the facility will use a closed-loop cooling system that will not worsen drought conditions. They also plan to construct a dedicated power plant for the project, which would operate independently from the existing electric grid.

Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams negotiated an agreement with television investor Kevin O'Leary to reduce the project's scope. O'Leary said, "We really screwed this up initially by not listening to local constituents and made huge mistakes. We made some assumptions that were just not right."