{"id":4319,"date":"2026-06-07T03:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T03:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/07\/suit-filed-against-controversial-planned-stratos-datacenter-project-in-utah\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T03:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T03:30:51","slug":"suit-filed-against-controversial-planned-stratos-datacenter-project-in-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4319","title":{"rendered":"Suit filed against controversial planned Stratos datacenter project in Utah"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1ma2nzf\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"3a9915d9-67a5-4ee1-bb99-63748ed585bf\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A gravel road stretches through a prairie with mountains in the distance.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c718370b4e39a4654e250c2a7a1d75898c0823e3\/0_0_4000_2667\/master\/4000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310.03875\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The area where the Stratos project is proposed to be built, in Box Elder county, Utah, on 15 May 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Natalie Behring\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3a9915d9-67a5-4ee1-bb99-63748ed585bf\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The area where the Stratos project is proposed to be built, in Box Elder county, Utah, on 15 May 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Natalie Behring\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1jwoxwb\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Suit filed against controversial planned Stratos datacenter project in Utah<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Plan backed by Shark Tank\u2019s Kevin O\u2019Leary had footprint reduced but concerns remain over its health impacts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-pzh79o\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/utah\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Utah<\/a> residents have teamed up with a progressive non-profit organization to sue over an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/jun\/04\/how-the-insatiable-thirst-of-datacenters-is-leaving-communities-across-the-us-high-and-dry\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">under-development AI datacenter<\/a> backed by celebrity investor Kevin O\u2019Leary, claiming the planned Stratos project facility \u201cirrevocably\u201d cuts off citizens\u2019 rights by not allowing sufficient public input.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Filed by the Alliance for a Better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/utah\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Utah<\/a> and five unnamed residents of the Box Elder county area where the center is being developed, the lawsuit comes as Shark Tank co-host O\u2019Leary agreed to scale back the physical footprint for the project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The alliance and residents are contesting the constitutionality of the state\u2019s military installation development authority (Mida) \u2013 a special entity that oversees the datacenter\u2019s proposal \u2013 and its approval of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/13\/utah-approves-datacenter-backlash\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the project<\/a>, NBC News reported.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"ce44d4a6-b4bb-4080-9e2a-a64307bbeb48\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-3 | 3\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-ak3j0c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/13\/utah-approves-datacenter-backlash\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">\u2018Irresponsible\u2019: backlash as Utah approves datacenter twice the size of Manhattan<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cUnder the Stratos plan, it would hold permanent, irrevocable control over public health, safety, taxation and land use across tens of thousands of acres of Box Elder county, with no voter recourse,\u201d plaintiffs\u2019 attorney David Irvine said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officials for the state and Mida said they are reviewing the lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Initial proposals for the datacenter envisioned a 40,000-acre (16,200-hectare) campus in Utah\u2019s Hansel valley, but O\u2019Leary on Wednesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/tech\/tech-news\/kevin-oleary-utah-data-center-project-stratos-ai-shrink-hayley-rcna348430\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">told NBC<\/a> that he is \u201cgoing to have to\u201d slim down the project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Utah state senate president, Stuart Adams, <a href=\"https:\/\/senate.utah.gov\/oleary-concedes-to-president-adams-demands-including-75-reduction-in-proposed-data-center-project-area-and-new-water-for-great-salt-lake\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">later said<\/a> O\u2019Leary had agreed to a reduction in size, a commitment of water to the Great Salt Lake and \u201cthousands of acres to be set aside for open space, wildlife protections and continued agricultural use\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Adams added that the Stratos project is in its \u201cearliest stages\u201d and a full permitting and environmental review process will be carried out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">O\u2019Leary <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/kevinolearytv\/status\/2062639886977376597\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">posted on X<\/a> that he is \u201cnot walking away from the Utah project, but I also understand why [state senate] president Adams sent the letter demanding major changes\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cA 75% reduction simply isn\u2019t realistic for a project of this scale, but that doesn\u2019t mean the concerns should be ignored,\u201d the post added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">O\u2019Leary nonetheless accused opponents of the project of mounting \u201ccoordinated misinformation campaigns\u201d and said public debate \u201chas been fueled by outdated information\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.NewsletterSignupBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-ri3hap\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added that \u201cclaims that we\u2019ll drain the Great Salt Lake, consume Utah\u2019s power, or create massive environmental damage simply don\u2019t reflect the reality of what we\u2019re building\u201d. He also pointed to the creation of construction jobs and other high-paying tech jobs, and billions of dollars of investment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">O\u2019Leary said he was also investigating the funding of AI datacenter opposition groups and had turned over evidence to federal authorities that he said appear to show links between the groups and \u201cChinese backed interests\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The accusation comes as four congressional Republicans, including Kentucky\u2019s Brett Guthrie, chair of the House committee on energy and commerce, called on the FBI for information about \u201cforeign influence campaigns working to slow American AI progress\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/energycommerce.house.gov\/posts\/chairmen-guthrie-joyce-and-latta-request-investigation-of-foreign-adversaries-efforts-to-block-american-data-center-buildout\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Guthrie said in a statement<\/a>: \u201cDatacenters are the foundational computing structure that makes modern life possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1xavc9x\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/utah\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Utah<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/technology\/artificialintelligenceai\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">AI (artificial intelligence)<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Suit%20filed%20against%20controversial%20planned%20Stratos%20datacenter%20project%20in%20Utah&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/06\/stratos-datacenter-utah-suit?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjun%2F06%2Fstratos-datacenter-utah-suit&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jun\/06\/stratos-datacenter-utah-suit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-babllm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The area where the Stratos project is proposed to be built, in Box Elder county, Utah, on 15<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4321,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}