Residents furious as Utah approves datacenter twice the size of Manhattan (www.theguardian.com)

Utah has approved a controversial plan to construct the Stratos datacenter, which will cover over 40,000 acres—more than twice the size of Manhattan—despite widespread public opposition. This enormous facility, projected to consume 9 gigawatts of power—exceeding Utah's entire energy usage—and significantly impact local water resources, has prompted concerns from residents and environmentalists alike. Critics warn that the project could aggravate the ongoing crisis of the Great Salt Lake, contributing to detrimental ecological changes and hazardous air quality from potential toxic dust clouds as the lake shrinks. Proponents, including venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, argue that the facility will create thousands of jobs and bolster the U.S. position in the competitive AI sector. However, the anticipated environmental repercussions, including a potential 50% increase in the state's greenhouse gas emissions and extreme thermal loads affecting local climates, have raised alarms among experts. The state's governor has indicated that future phases of the project will require adherence to strict environmental standards, as community backlash continues to grow, with local groups seeking to ensure that development aligns with Utah's values and ecological needs.