Utah approves massive AI data center amid intense public backlash

Written By Phil Zalewski

A massive AI data center project backed by Kevin O’Leary was approved in Utah despite strong public opposition. The proposed project could span 40,000 acres and consume up to 9 GW of energy, drawing concern over power demand, emissions, land use, and transparency. (more)

Why it matters for government data centers:
This illustrates the scale of local resistance that can form around AI infrastructure. Public-sector planners should assume future projects will need credible community-benefit, power, water, and environmental narratives from day one.

Phil Zalewski
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