Kevin O'Leary's gargantuan data center cut down by half after battle with Utah lawmakers

[highplainsdem]

Source: Independent

Shark Tank celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary has decided to join the data center gold rush, but Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams is mucking up his claim.

O'Leary's proposed data center — to be built in Box Elder County, Utah — is called the Stratos Project and would service AI development and support U.S. defense operations, according to Business Insider. The initial plan was to house a 10,000 acre data center on 40,000 acres of land.

But his plans changed on Thursday when he agreed to shave approximately 20,000 acres off his project, reducing it by 50 percent. His team informed Adams of his offer in a letter on Thursday, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

-snip-

It's unclear how O'Leary's fight with Utah will play out, but he's made clear he doesn't intend to drop his project. In the meantime, he suggested that paid actors were making up some of the protesters, and said he would provide evidence to the Trump administration.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kevin-oleary-utah-data-center-fight-b2989882.html

[dem4decades]

1. I hate that arrogant jerk. First thing we do is raise his taxes.

[nitpicked]

2. Residents question water use as Utah faces drought, data center plan

https://kutv.com/news/utah-water/residents-question-water-use-as-utah-faces-drought-data-center-plan

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — As water restrictions take effect across northern Utah following one of the driest winters in recent years, some residents are questioning conservation messaging as a massive data center project is proposed in Box Elder County — one that could require billions of gallons of water annually.

Water districts across the region are urging residents to cut back usage this summer, citing low reservoir levels and rising temperatures expected to reach the 90s and 100s.
(snip)

Residents said the situation is concerning. Reservoirs are estimated to be about 60% full, providing roughly a one-year buffer.
(snip)

At the same time, a proposed data center development, known as the Stratos Project, has drawn scrutiny over its potential water demands. According to Utah Clean Energy, the facility could require about 16.6 billion gallons of water each year — roughly equivalent to 25,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
(snip)

[maxsolomon]

3. This is the bottom line. The Wasatch doesn't have enough water for ANY Data Centers.

It doesn't have enough water for the vast seas of Mormons building homes anywhere they can. They're killing the GSL.

[Karasu]

4. Not good enough.

[GenThePerservering]

5. "Paid protestors"

Sorry, you stupid fool, but that won't work. Try another.

[highplainsdem]

7. Republicans in the House have asked the Trump regime to investigate:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143674560

We've seen bipartisan opposition to data centers so far. The regime and the AI bros and investors are probably hoping attributing the opposition to Chinese meddling will scare the Republican opponents into supporting AI again.

[EarthFirst]

6. I'm a fool for working full time with all this 'paid actor' income streaming in...

…I suppose it’s good to get out of the house.

[gixxerlee]

8. such a smug asshole

we need to stop with all this ai data center bull shit. REMEMBER, an electric company on lake tahoe is now telling it's 50k residents that they will no longer service the people because the data center is using up all of the electricity. this is not a one off. multiple locations nationwide , data centers are using up a lot of the waters, electricity and even poisoning the ground water at those locations. fuck kevin, he can take his smug ass back to canada or emirati , where he holds citizenship.

[Aussie105]

9. I know a couple of people . . .

who complain about the cost of new and big 3.5" computer hard drives.

When questioned why they need yet another couple of big drives, the answers are always vague.

The truth be told, I think they are trying to download all, or a large chunk of the internet.

Some sort of personal Shangri-La awaits them once that mission is completed. Like a religious obsession, almost. Heaven is within my reach!

I'd like to put the same question to those seeking to create those huge data and AI centres, to the point they are prepared to sink billions into setting them up.

Why?

What benefit is there in taking away resources from a local population to feed your data centres?

What benefits do you see coming from them, that justifies it all?

Questions need to be asked by individuals, local and state governments.
And a series of 'Not So Fast!' roadblocks put in the way.

[Javaman]

10. oh nose! it will now only be the size of one Manhattan island. the shame of it all!

fucking morons