Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeInformation TechnologyNewsShark Tank star shrinks data centre footprint after backlashThe dispute is the latest example of how the surge in data centres to power AI is triggering community oppositionAuthor of the article:Last updated 38 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.“Much of the alarm surrounding this project has been based on incorrect assumptions and facts about land use, water use, heat dispersion, air quality, and project timeline that does not reflect reality,” said Kevin O’Leary. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty ImagesA proposed Utah data centre that would have been almost three times the size of Manhattan will be drastically scaled back after pressure from lawmakers.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIn the latest sign of the growing pushback against the AI buildout, venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame pledged to cut the 40,000-acre Stratos development in half. Most of the remaining area will be left as open space, O’Leary wrote in a letter to Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams.With those changes, the plan would be in line with calls for a 75 per cent reduction in the overall size of the project, he added in the letter dated Thursday. Still, O’Leary said many of the environmental concerns had been overstated.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Much of the alarm surrounding this project has been based on incorrect assumptions and facts about land use, water use, heat dispersion, air quality, and project timeline that does not reflect reality,” wrote O’Leary, chairman of O’Leary Digital. The project “has not broken ground, has not received permits, and the development plan is still being engineered and refined.”The nine-gigawatt Stratos project in the northwest corner of the state has triggered raucous protests and even death threats against elected officials over environmental concerns including water usage in the Great Salt Lake area.O’Leary Digital didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. It wasn’t immediately clear if the overall nine-gigawatt capacity of the project will change.The dispute is the latest example of how the surge in data centres to power artificial intelligence is triggering community opposition. Concerns range from soaring power prices to a loss of jobs due to AI, as well as environmental impacts.Last month, a small Texas county outside Dallas approved a one-year moratorium on new data centre and energy storage developments.In response O’Leary’s letter, Adams welcomed the decrease in the project’s size. He reiterated that the project was still in its earliest stages and would have to conform to Utah regulations and protect nearby water resources.“With responsible water use, transparency and input from the people of Utah, we will show the nation how to build it right,” Adams said in a statement. “There must be written commitments in place, and the proposal must undergo a full permitting and environmental review process, just like any other development project in Utah.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.