The world’s largest data center was supposed to run on 100% natural gas. Utah’s Republican governor says ‘never.’

A proposed 40,000-acre data center in northern Utah, the Stratos Project, has faced significant opposition due to environmental concerns. Utah's Republican governor, Spencer Cox, rejected the plan to power the facility solely with natural gas, insisting future phases should use nuclear, geothermal, and solar energy. The project, backed by Kevin O'Leary and approved by the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), has sparked protests over potential carbon emissions, water usage, and harm to the Great Salt Lake.