Bar H Ranch Preps New Water Permit Filing for 40,000-Acre Stratos Data Center in Box Elder

The massive Stratos data center project remains in the planning stages following the withdrawal of a water rights application by developer Bar H Ranch. The project, which is backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, is proposed to span 40,000 acres and include a dedicated natural gas plant capable of producing 9 gigawatts of energy. Developers have proposed a closed-loop cooling system to mitigate water usage concerns, though the project faces significant public opposition regarding its potential impact on the Great Salt Lake and surrounding environment.

The regulatory landscape for the project has shifted with the May 6 enactment of HB60, a new Utah law that restricts the state engineer's ability to consider broad "public welfare" arguments, such as environmental health or wildlife impacts, when evaluating water rights protests. Instead, regulatory scrutiny is now largely confined to questions of water pollution and scarcity. While previous water applications for the site were withdrawn following widespread public outcry, the developer has signaled its intent to resubmit plans to the Division of Water Rights.