Utah state senator smacks reporter’s phone out of his hand amid data center controversy
Lee Perry said the backlash over the Stratos Project included death threats and accusations of bribery as hundreds protested the 40,000-acre plan.
- Box Elder County Commissioner Lee Perry defended his vote approving the Stratos Project Area on Wednesday, appearing emotional while facing intense public backlash over the massive data center development's environmental impacts.
- As local protests intensified, Perry reported receiving death threats and accusations of bribery, prompting police to station officers outside his home amid concerns about the project's effects on water, air quality, and the Great Salt Lake.
- Hundreds of protesters gathered to chant "shame" and "people over profit," with critics accusing officials of ignoring local opposition. Perry stated the decision made him "sick physically for over a week" while trying to serve residents.
- Shark Tank personality Kevin O'Leary, worth $400 million, publicly backed the project and disputed methane power claims, alleging without evidence that demonstrators came from outside Utah or Box Elder County.
- The approved Stratos Project Area spans nearly 40,000 acres and includes data centers and power facilities. The project remains a flashpoint for debate, illustrating deep divisions between county officials and citizens concerned about long-term community impacts.
9 Articles
9 Articles
A massive AI data center transforms rural Utah into a national flashpoint
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” chanted over a thousand voices on May 4, at the County Commission meeting of Box Elder, a rural county of Utah, as the three commissioners collected their things and quickly made their way toward the exit. Police moved toward the crowd as chants continued: “Who are you protecting?” and “People over Profit!” The county commissioners had just voted to approve one of the world’s largest data centers, a 40,000-acre complex kn…
Commissioner breaks down in tears on camera after approving AI data center despite town objections
An interview with a Utah county commissioner is drawing attention online after he appeared emotional while defending a vote to let a massive AI data center proposal move forward. Box Elder County Commissioner Lee Perry spoke to KSL one day after he and two other officials approved two resolutions tied to the controversial Stratos Project Area, a development that would add data centers and power facilities across nearly 40,000 acres of land. Perr…
Lawmaker Slaps Phone Out of Reporter's Hand During Skirmish Over Data Center Story
If a Utah lawmaker was looking to keep a story out of the headlines, he picked a bad way to do it. Veteran Republican state Sen. Jerry Stevenson, one of […] The post Lawmaker Slaps Phone Out of Reporter's Hand During Skirmish Over Data Center Story appeared first on The Western Journal.
Utah state senator smacks reporter’s phone out of his hand amid data center controversy
LAYTON, Uta (KTVX) — While reporting on the aftermath of a contentious data center project approval in Box Elder County, a reporter for Nexstar’s KTVX was approached by a sitting Utah state senator, turning a routine newsgathering effort into a physical confrontation. On Monday afternoon, the Box Elder County Commission approved multiple resolutions to enter…
Utah senator smacks ABC4 reporter’s phone out of his hand amid Data Center controversy
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