If you live in Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, or anywhere along the Wasatch Front, the conversation happening right now about Utah data centers, air quality, and the Kevin O'Leary-backed "Stratos Project" directly affects your community.
A Utah physician is warning that 21 data centers in various stages of development could significantly worsen air quality along the Wasatch Front. Fox 13 reported that Dr. Brian Moench, with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said each facility is expected to generate its own electricity using natural gas power plants — raising concerns about ozone, particulate formation, and smog in a region already known for winter inversions.
At the same time, data centers have brought meaningful tax revenue and jobs to fast-growing cities like Eagle Mountain. This is a story with real complexity on both sides.
This post presents information from multiple cited sources and is intended to be informational, not advocacy.
What Is the Stratos Project — and Who Is Kevin O'Leary?
The biggest data center story in Utah right now involves Kevin O'Leary — the celebrity investor known as "Mr. Wonderful" on ABC's Shark Tank — and a proposed hyperscale data center called "The Stratos Project."
KSL reported that the Box Elder County Commission approved the Stratos project agreement on May 4th, 2026, at a meeting held at the county fairgrounds in Tremonton where hundreds of residents showed up to oppose it. The vote was unanimous.
The scale of the project is significant: the Stratos project area spans approximately 40,000 acres split into three sites — more than double the size of Manhattan. If built at full capacity, the project could consume up to 9 gigawatts of power, more than double Utah's current total electricity use of approximately 4 gigawatts.
Governor Spencer Cox has supported the project. He also told reporters that data centers will be required to meet national air quality standards: "We have air quality standards, national standards, that they will have to abide by. That's what I've said all along. We aren't changing those standards."
O'Leary has framed the project in terms of national competition. He told CNN: "The potential of what we're creating is so important for defense, for the economy. We can't let the Chinese beat us." O'Leary has also stated the project is expected to support around 10,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent positions.
What People Are Saying
This story is generating significant public discussion across Utah — at public meetings, on social media, and in online forums. Here is a representative sample from multiple perspectives.
From those who attended the Tremonton meeting in opposition: According to CNN's reporting from the scene, attendees chanted "Shame! Shame! Shame!" as commissioners voted. Physics professor Dr. Rob Davies, who was in the crowd, described the overall sentiment as "we don't have enough information." He told reporters: "This has the potential for massive impact to these communities and to what we Utahns consider our birthright treasure, which is our landscapes."
On water: The Deseret News reported that the Great Salt Lake was 6.1 feet below its minimum healthy level as of this month, with over 54% of its lake bed exposed. More than 3,800 Utahns paid $15 each to file formal objections to the project's water rights transfer, according to Deseret News opinion coverage.
O'Leary's response to water concerns: Writing on X, O'Leary stated: "There's lots of rumors that we're going to suck the Great Salt Lake dry. That's ridiculous. Of course that's not gonna happen." He also said the facility could use air-cooling systems to eliminate water use entirely as an option. Common Dreams reported that O'Leary responded to protesters saying: "I'm the only developer of data centers on Earth that graduated from environmental studies. I'm pretty aware of what these concerns are."
On the process: Data Center Dynamics reported that county commissioners said they felt "blindsided" by the scope and state involvement, with commission chair Tyler Vincent saying: "The thing that's so frustrating for us, for commissioners, is all of a sudden, we're brought this in the last hour, and we're expected to hurry."
On the referendum effort: CNN reported that a group of Utah residents is attempting to place a referendum on the November ballot to oppose the project, which would require more than 5,000 signatures and is currently undergoing legal review.
Where to follow ongoing community discussion:
- r/Utah — active discussion threads on data centers and the Stratos project
- r/SaltLakeCity — Wasatch Front perspective on air quality and development
- City-Data Utah forums — longer-form community discussions on Utah development and environment
- Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs Facebook community groups — local perspective from residents closest to the existing Meta and QTS campuses
What Is Already in Eagle Mountain
While the Stratos Project is in Box Elder County, Eagle Mountain is already one of Utah's primary data center locations.
Meta operates a major and expanding data campus in Eagle Mountain. QTS Data Centers is constructing a 193-acre, five-building campus — ABC4 reported that five buildings are planned and more than 100 permanent jobs are expected. In April 2026, crews placed the final beam on the third building. QTS states on its Eagle Mountain campus page that it is committed to a water-free cooling system and secured power from Rocky Mountain Power rather than building a natural gas plant. Google owns 300 acres in Eagle Mountain but has delayed construction due to energy constraints, according to Lehi Free Press.
Eagle Mountain city leadership has recruited data centers to generate tax revenue for a city that grew rapidly with a limited commercial tax base — as I covered in my post on Eagle Mountain's commercial development.
The Air Quality Concern
Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and a retired anesthesiologist who practiced in Utah for over 40 years, has been the most prominent medical voice on this issue.
Fox 13 reported his specific concern: while natural gas burns cleaner than coal, it still produces nitrogen oxide, which contributes to ozone, particulate formation, and smog. His position: "There's no safe level of air pollution. All of it is harmful, even at the very lowest doses."
At a rally at the Utah Capitol, ABC4 reported that Moench questioned the pace of approvals: "If they were that confident that they would be good for the environment, then they would be willing to have the public weigh in on it."
Why Natural Gas Is the Core Technical Issue
Utah's main electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power, does not currently have capacity to meet the surge in data center energy demand. Grist and the Salt Lake Tribune reported in March 2026 that developers have turned to generating their own electricity using natural gas, and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Nitrogen oxides from burning natural gas react with sunlight to form ozone in summer and contribute to particulate pollution in winter. The Wasatch Front's geography — mountains on three sides trapping air during inversions — makes this chemistry particularly impactful compared to most U.S. cities.
The Scale Statewide
ABC4 has been tracking all Utah data center projects and documents projects near Cedar City, Nephi, Santaquin, Millard County, Box Elder County, and multiple Wasatch Front locations.
Dr. Rob Davies of Utah State University estimated the combined thermal output of the Box Elder County data center alone could release heat equivalent to 23 atomic bombs daily, raising temperatures up to 12 degrees above normal.
On water: a medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year — equivalent to about 1,000 households annually, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. A large data center can use up to 1.8 billion gallons annually.
A Cal Tech study, cited by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, estimated health costs including 1,300 expected annual premature deaths by 2030 from data center air pollution nationally.
Eagle Mountain's Local Energy Debate
The Salt Lake Tribune reported in December 2025 that the Eagle Mountain City Council tabled an ordinance that would have allowed nuclear energy development in the city. Residents were split. Eagle Mountain's Director of Legislative and Strategic Affairs Evan Berrett noted the city's water dependency: "We should never pursue any sort of energy generation facility that uses vast amounts of water."
The Air Quality Progress Already Made
In November 2025, the EPA removed the Salt Lake and Provo area airsheds from its national dirty air list for fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5) for the first time in 15 years, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Environmental advocates have noted that ozone pollution remains a concern and new industrial development could affect future progress. According to Moench's op-ed in the Utah News Dispatch, as many as 8,000 Utahns die annually from air pollution, costing the economy billions.
What This Means for Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs Residents
Property values and quality of life. Air quality is consistently cited by relocating families as a consideration. As I've covered in my relocation guide and my Utah County vs. Salt Lake County comparison, Wasatch Front air quality is among the questions buyers ask most frequently.
Tax revenue. Eagle Mountain's data centers have provided meaningful tax revenue funding roads, parks, and city services for the growing population.
Water. Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs depend on limited groundwater. Data center water demands are a locally relevant concern.
What residents can do. Eagle Mountain City Council meetings include public comment. The city's Rumor Stop page addresses community questions. State-level public comment is available through the Utah Division of Air Quality and Utah Office of Energy Development.
Where to Read More
- Fox 13: Data centers raise air quality concerns, doctor says
- CNN: Why Utah residents are protesting Kevin O'Leary's data center
- KSL: Box Elder County commissioners approve Stratos project
- ABC4: Kevin O'Leary defends Utah data center
- ABC4: Utah orgs respond to O'Leary's accusations
- Data Center Dynamics: Planning commission delays O'Leary-backed project
- Deseret News: Kevin O'Leary's data center history in Canada
- ABC4: AI data centers in Utah — interactive tracking map
- Grist/Salt Lake Tribune: Utah's data center boom and fossil fuels
- Lehi Free Press: Utah's massive data centers seek new power sources
- Salt Lake Tribune: Eagle Mountain delays nuclear zoning decision
- Salt Lake Tribune: Wasatch Front removed from dirty air list
- Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment: Data center research
- QTS Eagle Mountain campus information
Related reading:
- Moving to Utah County or Salt Lake County in 2026? Here's What Nobody Tells You
- Utah County vs. Salt Lake County: An Honest Guide
- What Can You Get in Eagle Mountain Under $500,000 in 2026?
- Pioneer Crossing Construction 2026: What Every Utah County Driver Needs to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stratos Project and who is Kevin O'Leary? The Stratos Project is a proposed hyperscale data center development spanning approximately 40,000 acres in Box Elder County, Utah, backed by Kevin O'Leary (known as "Mr. Wonderful" on ABC's Shark Tank) through his company O'Leary Digital. Box Elder County commissioners approved the project agreement on May 4th, 2026. If built at full capacity, it could consume up to 9 gigawatts of power — more than double Utah's current total electricity use.
How many data centers are planned in Utah? According to Fox 13, 21 data centers are in various stages of development along the Wasatch Front and across Utah. ABC4's interactive tracking map documents projects near Eagle Mountain, West Jordan, Box Elder County, Millard County, Santaquin, Nephi, Cedar City, and additional locations.
What data centers are in Eagle Mountain? Meta operates an existing and expanding data campus. QTS Data Centers is constructing a 193-acre, five-building campus with more than 100 permanent jobs expected. Google owns 300 acres in Eagle Mountain but has delayed construction due to energy constraints.
What is the air quality concern with natural gas-powered data centers? Natural gas combustion produces nitrogen oxides, which react with sunlight to form ozone in summer and contribute to particulate pollution in winter. The Wasatch Front's geography — mountains trapping air during inversions — makes these pollutants particularly concentrated. Governor Cox has stated all data centers will be required to meet national air quality standards.
Didn't the Wasatch Front just get removed from the federal dirty air list? Yes. In November 2025, the EPA removed the Salt Lake and Provo area airsheds from its PM 2.5 nonattainment list for the first time in 15 years. Environmental advocates note that ozone pollution remains a concern and that new industrial development could affect future progress.
Where can I follow ongoing community discussion about Utah data centers? Active discussions are happening on r/Utah and r/SaltLakeCity on Reddit, the City-Data Utah forums, and Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs Facebook community groups. Major news coverage is ongoing at Fox 13, KSL, ABC4, CNN, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, and Lehi Free Press.
What can Eagle Mountain residents do if they have concerns? Eagle Mountain City Council meetings include public comment periods. The city's Rumor Stop page at eaglemountain.gov/rumor-stop/ regularly addresses community questions. State-level public comment is available through the Utah Division of Air Quality and the Utah Office of Energy Development.