O'Leary AI Campus Faces Shocking 75% Cut Demand

A Utah state senator has demanded a 75% reduction in Kevin O'Leary's proposed AI data center campus, known as the Stratos Project. Senate President J. Stuart Adams sent a letter requesting the Box Elder County site shrink from 40,000 acres to approximately 10,000 acres. Adams also called for stronger commitments regarding water usage, conservation, environmental review, heat mitigation, and public transparency.

O'Leary's company stated they were unaware of these legislative concerns until the letter arrived. A spokesperson confirmed they are analyzing the demands and that O'Leary intends to respond directly to President Adams. O'Leary himself has labeled the proposed reduction "outrageous" and indicated he is not abandoning the project, comparing the drastic cut to an unacceptable partial ownership.

The Stratos Project, planned for Utah's northwestern region, aims to be a large-scale data and energy campus supporting AI, cloud computing, and defense operations. Its proposed energy demand of 7.5 to 9 gigawatts would make it one of the largest in the United States. The project has already become a focal point for debates surrounding AI infrastructure in Utah, attracting criticism from residents and environmentalists over its potential strain on resources and impact on the local rural character.

In response to growing concerns about data center development, Utah Governor Spencer Cox recently signed an executive order. This order establishes a "higher bar for data center development in Utah," outlining frameworks for managing water resources, air quality, utility rates, wildlife, and overall quality of life.