Kevin O'Leary wants to build a massive AI data centre in Utah. Some residents aren't happy

Celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary is advancing plans for a massive AI data center in Utah’s Box Elder County, a project mirroring his proposed $70-billion, 7.5-gigawatt AI campus in Alberta, Canada. The Utah facility, covering 10,000–13,000 acres, would be part of a 40,000-acre development including a natural gas power plant capable of producing up to nine gigawatts. The county commission approved two resolutions on May 4 to move the project forward, despite vocal opposition from residents concerned about environmental harm. Opponents highlight the fragile state of the Great Salt Lake, which has reached record-low levels, and warn the data center’s energy demands could further strain the region’s ecosystem. Robert Davies, a physics professor at Utah State University, called the development a 'big thing' that could disrupt the desert valley’s delicate moisture-dependent plants and animals. Local resident Brenna Williams expressed skepticism, noting current water rationing and questioning how the project would sustain its cooling needs without additional water sources. O’Leary Digital, the company behind the project, insists the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system to sharply reduce water consumption and repurpose waste heat. The company also claims transparency in its planning process, with O’Leary stating that all applications will be public and subject to regulatory review. Construction could begin by late 2025 if environmental assessments are cleared. Supporters argue the project will bring nearly 2,000 permanent jobs and significant tax revenue to Box Elder County, while O’Leary frames it as a strategic move to bolster U.S. AI computing capacity. He previously told CBC News that leadership in AI would translate to advantages in productivity, education, and military technology. However, environmentalists and residents remain unconvinced, demanding further assurances about the project’s ecological impact before approving it.