GoKawiilUtah board approves Kevin O'Leary-backed Stratos data center project despite scrutiny
Kevin O'Leary promoted a 40,000-acre data center and gas power plant project called Wonder Valley (also known as Stratos) in Box Elder County, Utah, claiming it would become the world's largest data center with up to 9 gigawatts of on-site generation. The project moved forward through meetings with Gov. Spencer Cox and the Military Installation Development Authority in January, though county commissioners were not formally briefed until late March, after which their approval made MIDA the land use authority rather than the county.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The rapid approval process, preceding both an anchor tenant and full local scrutiny, follows a speculative 'powered land' model where developers secure land, power and permits before confirming demand, which could leave local governments with reduced oversight once consent is given. The local developer's background in residential assemblage rather than data center construction raises questions, as does the unusual structure that shifted land-use authority to a state agency rather than the county itself.
- Wonder Valley/Stratos proposes 40,000 acres and up to 9 gigawatts of gas-fired generation in rural Utah.
- County commissioners were briefed only in March, after state officials and MIDA were already engaged in January.
- Once county consent was given, MIDA—not Box Elder County—became the land use authority, an irrevocable shift.
Source: theverge.com — Josh Dzieza, 2026-10-01
Published there as: “The People of Utah vs. Kevin O’Leary”
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