Proposta de enorme centro de dados em Utah enfrenta resistência devido a riscos ambientais

18 de maio de 2026

Reportado por IA

Planos para um grande complexo de centro de dados na zona rural de Utah provocaram oposição pública devido a preocupações com o uso de energia, consumo de água e impactos no Grande Lago Salgado.

O Projeto Stratos, apoiado pelo investidor Kevin O’Leary, ocuparia 40.000 acres no Hansel Valley, no Condado de Box Elder, e exigiria 9 gigawatts de energia. Os comissários do condado aprovaram o projeto em abril, mas mais de 1.000 moradores expressaram preocupações em uma reunião que as autoridades se recusaram a estender. O governador de Utah, Spencer Cox, reconheceu posteriormente as dúvidas sobre a água, a qualidade do ar e os efeitos a longo prazo nas áreas rurais.

Artigos relacionados

Rural US communities resist data center expansion

Residents in rural areas across the United States are opposing new data center projects over concerns about water supplies, energy costs, and farmland loss. In Tazewell County, Illinois, locals successfully blocked a proposed facility after packed council meetings and petitions. The backlash highlights tensions between AI infrastructure growth and agricultural needs.

Data center firms seek exemptions from U.S. pollution rules

24 de fevereiro de 2026 Reportado por IA

Data center developers in Utah and elsewhere have requested exemptions from federal pollution regulations to meet the surging energy demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Companies like Novva and Thunderhead argued that such relief is essential for national security amid competition with China. Although the requests highlight the industry's challenges, none appear to have been granted for these projects.

Europa

Google addresses concerns over Horndal data center amid permit approval

Política

Maine legislature passes first US moratorium on large data centers

Tecnologia

Poll finds most americans oppose local ai data centers

Tech firms pledge to offset data center energy costs

President Trump met with executives from major tech companies last month, where they signed a voluntary pledge to cover energy costs for their data centers. The agreement, dubbed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, includes securing their own power supplies and funding necessary infrastructure. Critics have dismissed it as lacking enforcement mechanisms.

Google announces low-water data center in Texas

24 de fevereiro de 2026 Reportado por IA

Google is constructing a new data center in Texas that employs advanced air-cooling technology to minimize water usage. The facility will restrict water consumption primarily to essential operations such as kitchens. This initiative aligns with the company's broader $40 billion investment in the state over two years.

Europa