Scientists from Utah State University are raising alarms over a proposed mega data center in Box Elder County. The project could scale up to 9 gigawatts of power, which experts warn could increase Utah's total greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50% if powered by natural gas. Beyond emissions, the project faces scrutiny over its cooling requirements. Researchers question the feasibility of the proposed closed loop system, arguing that the thermal load and water evaporation could severely impact the already fragile Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
