Proposed mega data center draws concerns over 'heat island effect'

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]A major concern about a city-sized data center proposed in Box Elder County. On Monday, we heard from residents and local leaders alike feeling rushed into this major decision. And last night, we heard from scientists worried about the amount of water that it would need to run. New specialist Mike Anderson has been following this story. And Mike, you heard from experts concerned about its impacts on the climate. What did you find out?

[00:00:25]Yeah, you know, there's a number of scientists that are and citizens as well that are concerned that you know, that would like a number of questions answered about Project Stratus before the Box Elder County Commission makes a decision on it. And there are worries about what the massive data center could bring with it.

[00:00:43]You can't bring something spanning 40,000 acres out here without seeing some changes. That is a large area. And Dr. Wei Zhang, a professor of climate science, says along with the buildings, the production of energy from gas, the heat >> called urban heat island effects or in urban climate field, we call urban dome.

[00:01:01]So, those heat by itself can cause some local circulation. The same way cities do. The center could increase the surrounding temperature by a few degrees. It's fair to say that those data center can create these own local circulation. Meaning wind, possible storms, but how much of an impact whether it could affect things like snowfall and whether the heat gets blown into other areas is all a very open question that he says deserves some research. But along with bringing the heat generating 9 gigawatts of power with natural gas will raise Utah's current total greenhouse gas production by about 50%.

[00:01:36]>> Pollution, especially at maximum proposed scale, is a big concern to some of these professors when you consider how electricity is typically produced from natural gas. Every car, truck, bus, motorcycle all of those emissions combined, this plant will be putting out more than that.

[00:01:53]>> All reasons why they say the project shouldn't be rushed, why they're asking local leaders to pump the brakes and take a closer look.

[00:02:01]And Song adds that there are ways to manage that heat island effect by adding green spaces and trees. But, you know, Box Elder County Commissioners in the meantime are set to to meet make a decision on this come at this coming Monday at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds. Back to you. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what they decide on here. All right, Mike Anderson live tonight. Mike, thank you.