Hundreds Rally at Utah Capitol Against Proposed Stratos Data Center

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Utah Capitol building to oppose the proposed Stratos data center project in Box Elder County, citing concerns over its potential impact on water resources and the Great Salt Lake.

Demonstrators called on Governor Cox to slow down project approvals, arguing that the development is advancing with insufficient public input. Organizers said attendees traveled from across the state, including residents from Box Elder County, Cache Valley, Davis County, and Utah County.

Protesters warned that the facility could become one of the largest data centers in the world — reportedly twice the size of Manhattan — and could worsen conditions for the already struggling Great Salt Lake due to high water consumption.

One protester stated: “I think this data center is being railroaded to the people of Utah. I think the people of Utah, no matter where they stand politically, need to be aware of what Governor Cox and basically the military are pushing through, and they want no transparency for a data center that is twice the size of Manhattan and will be one of the world’s largest data centers in the world. Not in just the country, in the world.”

Protesters are requesting independent studies on the project’s water usage.