The Stratos Project
America's most ambitious AI data center — built in the remote Utah desert, powered by its own gas plant, and designed to shape the future of artificial intelligence.
Research & Analysis by
Jack L. Stickney
What Is the Stratos Project?
A plain-language explanation of the biggest technology project ever proposed for the state of Utah.
Simple Explanation
Think of it this way: Artificial intelligence — the technology behind ChatGPT, self-driving cars, and military defense systems — needs enormous amounts of computing power to run. That computing power lives in giant buildings called data centers, filled wall-to-wall with powerful computers. The Stratos Project would build the world's largest collection of those buildings in the empty Utah desert, powered by its own private gas power plant.
The Basic Facts
The Stratos Project is a proposed AI data center campus in Hansel Valley and Locomotive Valley, located in the remote western corner of Box Elder County, Utah. The project was approved by Box Elder County commissioners on May 4, 2026.
It is backed by Kevin O'Leary — the Canadian investor known from the TV show "Shark Tank" — through his company O'Leary Digital, working alongside West GenCo and the Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA).
The project spans approximately 40,000 acres across two separate desert valleys, each about 20,000 acres, divided by a small mountain range. At full buildout, it would consume up to 9 gigawatts of electricity — more than twice what the entire state of Utah currently uses.
Why Utah? Why Here?
The location was chosen very deliberately. A major natural gas pipeline called the Ruby Pipeline runs directly through Hansel Valley. This pipeline carries gas from Wyoming through Nevada to Oregon — and it had unused capacity available.
By tapping into that pipeline, the project can generate its own electricity completely off the public power grid. That means it won't raise your electricity bill, won't strain Utah's power lines, and doesn't depend on anyone else's infrastructure.
The land is also extremely remote — 15 to 20 miles from the nearest town, with no homes, no active farms, and no neighbors to disturb. This makes it very different from most data center projects, which often face fierce opposition from nearby residents.
Who Is Involved?
Kevin O'Leary / O'Leary Digital
Lead Investor & Developer
Canadian entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor. His company O'Leary Digital is the primary developer of the data center campus.
West GenCo
Power Generation Partner
Co-developer responsible for the on-site natural gas power generation that will supply electricity to the campus.
MIDA
Utah State Authority
The Military Installation Development Authority — a Utah state agency that fast-tracked approval and provides tax incentives tied to military infrastructure.
Box Elder County
Local Government
The county commission voted unanimously on May 4, 2026 to approve the project, citing jobs, economic development, and national security.
How Does It Work?
Step by step, from natural gas in the ground to AI running in the cloud.
Natural Gas Arrives via Pipeline
The Ruby Pipeline — a 680-mile interstate natural gas pipeline — runs directly through Hansel Valley. The project taps into unused capacity on this pipeline to receive a steady supply of natural gas fuel. No new pipeline needs to be built.
Gas Turbines Generate Electricity
On-site gas turbines (called Combined-Cycle Gas Turbines, or CCGT) burn the natural gas. The heat from burning spins a turbine — like a jet engine — which generates electricity. Modern gas plants are about 55–60% efficient, meaning more than half the energy in the gas becomes usable electricity.
Electricity Powers the Data Centers
Because the power plant is on-site, electricity travels only a short distance to the data center buildings. This avoids losses that occur when electricity travels hundreds of miles on public power lines. The campus would operate completely off the public grid.
Computers Run AI Programs
Inside the data center buildings, rows of specialized computers — called GPU servers — run artificial intelligence programs. These include training AI models (teaching AI to learn), running AI models (letting AI answer questions), and storing massive amounts of data. Each building could hold tens of thousands of these computers.
Heat Is Removed by Cooling Systems
Computers generate enormous heat. Modern AI data centers use liquid cooling — pipes filled with coolant liquid run directly past the computer chips, absorbing heat. That heat is then transferred to cooling towers outside the building, where it is released into the air. This is why you see steam plumes above large data centers.
Water Is Recycled in a Closed Loop
The project uses a 'closed-loop' water system, meaning water circulates continuously rather than being used once and thrown away. Deep wells on the property supply the initial water. Some water is lost to evaporation in the cooling towers, but the system is designed to minimize this. The developers have secured about 3,000 acre-feet of water rights on-site.
Inside a hyperscale AI data center — rows of server racks stretch to the horizon, each consuming as much power as a small house
The Power Plant
Understanding the scale of energy required — and what it means to generate 9 gigawatts.
Simple Explanation
A gigawatt is a unit of power. One gigawatt can power about 750,000 average American homes. The entire state of Utah currently uses about 4 gigawatts. The Stratos Project, at full buildout, would need 9 gigawatts — more than twice what all of Utah uses today. That's why it needs its own private power plant.
Why Natural Gas?
Natural gas is the most practical fuel for a project this large in a remote desert location. Solar and wind power are not reliable enough — the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow, but AI computers need to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Natural gas burns cleaner than coal, producing about half the carbon dioxide per unit of electricity. It also produces almost no sulfur dioxide or particulate matter (soot), which are the pollutants that cause smog and health problems.
The Ruby Pipeline already runs through Hansel Valley, making it the most cost-effective and technically feasible option. The developers say they are using unused pipeline capacity that is not currently contracted to anyone else.
What Comes Out of the Smokestack?
The main greenhouse gas. This is the primary environmental concern.
Controlled with modern technology. Contributes to smog at high levels.
Natural gas has almost no sulfur. This is not a significant concern.
Soot and dust particles. Very low from natural gas combustion.
A modern natural gas combined-cycle power plant — the type proposed for the Stratos campus
Key Fact
"This project will not take one electron from Utah's public power grid."
— MIDA officials, April 2026. The entirely off-grid design means Utah residents' electricity bills will not be affected by this project's power consumption.
Environmental Impact
What does burning this much natural gas actually do to the air, the climate, and the local environment?
Carbon Dioxide: The Big Picture
Simple Explanation
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the gas that causes climate change. Right now, about 0.0432% of the air we breathe is CO₂ — that's 432 parts per million. This project would add a tiny amount to that global total, but it's still a large amount in absolute terms.
At full capacity, the Stratos power plant would emit approximately 34 million metric tons of CO₂ per year. To put that in perspective, Utah's total CO₂ emissions in 2023 were about 55 million metric tons. This single project would increase Utah's emissions by more than 50%.
Globally, the project would represent about 0.09% of all human CO₂ emissions worldwide. Its contribution to the global atmospheric concentration would be roughly 0.002 parts per million per year — a tiny fraction of the 2.5 ppm rise that occurs globally each year from all human activity combined.
The key point: CO₂ doesn't stay in one place. Once released, it mixes throughout the entire atmosphere and contributes to global warming everywhere on Earth, not just in Utah.
Heat: The Local Impact
Simple Explanation
Every computer, every light bulb, every engine eventually turns its energy into heat. A data center is essentially a giant heat machine. All 9 gigawatts of electricity consumed will eventually become heat that has to go somewhere.
Gas turbines are ~55–60% efficient. The remaining energy becomes waste heat released through cooling towers.
Nearly 100% of electricity consumed by computers becomes heat. All 9 GW must be removed by cooling systems.
Combined thermal output released to the local desert environment — equivalent to dozens of large power plants.
Effect on Nearby People
The site is 15–20 miles from the nearest town. No one lives nearby to experience noise, heat, light pollution, or air quality impacts from daily operations. The remoteness is the project's biggest advantage for local human health.
Effect on Climate
The project's ~0.002 ppm/year addition to global CO₂ is described in the analysis as a "tiny fraction" of the 2.5 ppm rise that occurs each year from all human activity combined. At the global level, the impact is negligible on its own. At the state level, it would increase Utah's total emissions by over 50% — a meaningful local figure, but not a global climate driver.
Effect on Desert Ecosystem
Hansel Valley is not truly empty — it supports sagebrush, native grasses, insects, birds, and reptiles as part of the Great Basin ecosystem. Heat plumes, ground disturbance, and light pollution could alter local microclimates and wildlife behavior.
"But Don't Plants Use CO₂?"
Yes — plants absorb CO₂ and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Higher CO₂ can even help some plants grow faster. So why is more CO₂ still a problem?
The speed problem: CO₂ is rising 100–200 times faster than at the end of the last Ice Age. Plants and ecosystems can't adapt fast enough. The warming caused by CO₂ brings droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat that actually hurts plant growth in many regions — more than the CO₂ benefit helps.
Current CO₂ in atmosphere
Up from 280 ppm before industrialization
Stratos project annual addition
After natural sinks absorb ~50%
Global annual CO₂ rise
From all human activity combined
Oxygen level in atmosphere
Not meaningfully affected by CO₂ changes
The Water Question
Utah is in a drought. The Great Salt Lake is shrinking. Does this project make things worse?
The Great Salt Lake — already at critically low levels due to drought and upstream water diversions
Simple Explanation
Water is the most controversial part of this project. The Great Salt Lake is shrinking — it hit record low levels in recent years. Critics worry that any new large-scale water use in the region will make things worse. The developers say their on-site water sources are separate from the lake's supply. The truth is somewhere in between.
Where Does the Water Come From?
The project will use deep underground wells drilled directly on the 40,000-acre property. There is no visible surface water in either valley — no streams, no springs, no ponds. The author of the original document personally drove the entire area and confirmed this.
The developers have secured approximately 3,000 acre-feet of water rights from existing agricultural sources on the property, plus backup rights near Snowville if needed. One water rights application has been filed to transfer 1,900 acre-feet from the Bar H Ranch's irrigation rights to industrial use.
The system uses a "closed-loop" design — meaning the same water circulates continuously through the cooling system, like a car's radiator. This dramatically reduces how much water is consumed compared to older "once-through" cooling systems.
Does It Affect the Great Salt Lake?
The northern arm of the Great Salt Lake — the section nearest to the project sites — is the most isolated part of the lake. It has no significant surface water inflows from streams or springs. The lakebed in this area is largely exposed dry playa (flat, salt-crusted desert floor).
A firsthand survey of both project sites confirmed no visible flowing water, standing water, or active wells. This means the underground water sources are largely disconnected from the lake's immediate water supply in this specific area.
However, scientists note that groundwater basins are interconnected over long time periods. Even without visible surface connections, sustained large-scale pumping could gradually lower water tables and reduce subsurface contributions to the lake over decades. This is why independent monitoring is recommended.
Concern Largely Mitigated
- ·No surface water competition
- ·No municipal supply impact
- ·Closed-loop system reduces consumption
- ·Northern arm has minimal lake connection
Concern Remains Real
- ·Groundwater basins are interconnected
- ·Arid climate = very slow aquifer recharge
- ·Scale is unprecedented — small losses add up
- ·No independent hydrologic study yet
Best Practice Recommended
- ·Install monitoring wells
- ·Meter all water consumption
- ·Require adaptive management plan
- ·Commission independent hydrology study
Why Acquire 40,000 Acres?
In Utah's water law system (called "prior appropriation"), water rights are often tied to land ownership. By acquiring 40,000 acres of contiguous desert, the developers secure the ability to drill deep wells and use underground water without immediate conflicts with neighbors — because there are no neighbors.
The sparse vegetation and lack of active farming on both sites means there are few competing water users in the immediate area, making this one of the least contentious locations in Utah for large-scale industrial water use.
Utah's Three Great Chapters
The same remote corner of northern Utah has been the birthplace of three transformative American technologies — separated by roughly 90 years each.
The Golden Spike ceremony, Promontory Summit, Utah — May 10, 1869
The Golden Spike
Promontory Summit, Utah
On May 10, 1869, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met at Promontory Summit — just miles from the Stratos sites — completing America's first transcontinental railroad. The Golden Spike ceremony connected the continent, transforming commerce, migration, and national identity.
The Rocket Ranch Opens
Promontory, Utah — ~15 miles east
In October 1957, Thiokol Chemical Corporation (now Northrop Grumman) opened its rocket motor facility in the Promontory foothills — only about 15 miles east of the Stratos sites, separated by two small mountain ranges. The facility, spanning ~20,000 acres, would go on to manufacture solid rocket boosters for the Space Shuttle and NASA's Artemis moon program.
The Stratos Project Approved
Hansel Valley & Locomotive Valley, Utah
On May 4, 2026, Box Elder County commissioners unanimously approved the Stratos Project — a 40,000-acre AI data center campus powered by its own 9-gigawatt natural gas plant. The same remote corner of Utah that connected a continent by rail and launched rockets into space now stands at the frontier of artificial intelligence.
"From connecting a continent by rail, to powering the space race, to powering the next frontier of artificial intelligence — all within a few miles of each other in one of the most remote, resilient landscapes in the American West."
Box Elder County, Utah · 1869 → 1957 → 2026
Understanding the Scale
Numbers this large are hard to visualize. Here's what they actually mean in real-world terms.
Simple Explanation
The Stratos Project is not just big — it is historically unprecedented. There has never been a single private infrastructure project of this scale built in the American West. To understand what these numbers mean, you have to compare them to things you already know.
About the size of Washington D.C. (68 sq mi) — or 30,000 football fields
More than 2× all of Utah's current electricity use. Enough to power 6.75 million homes.
Each building roughly the size of a large Walmart — but filled with computers, not shelves.
More than Utah's entire annual state budget of ~$30 billion.
High-paying tech and operations roles in one of Utah's most economically challenged counties.
Would increase Utah's total CO₂ emissions by more than 50% — from ~55M to ~89M tons/year.
More electricity than the entire country of Chile uses in a year.
About 978 million gallons of water per year — enough to supply ~8,700 average American homes.
How It Gets Built: The Phases
Simple Explanation
The project won't be built all at once. It will grow in phases over many years — like adding floors to a building one at a time. Each phase must be approved separately, which gives regulators and the public multiple chances to review what's happening.
First phase focuses on Hansel Valley. Power plant and initial data center buildings.
Expansion across the mountain range into Locomotive Valley. Requires separate review.
Final phase reaching full 9 GW capacity. Timeline depends on technology demand and market conditions.
Project Timeline
From concept to construction — how the Stratos Project went from an idea to an approved development in under two years.
Project Conceived
Kevin O'Leary and West GenCo identify Hansel Valley as an ideal location for a hyperscale AI campus. The Ruby Pipeline's unused capacity and remoteness make it uniquely attractive.
Land Acquisition Begins
Developers begin acquiring land and water rights in Hansel Valley and Locomotive Valley. The Bar H Ranch's 1,900 acre-feet of irrigation water rights are transferred to industrial use.
MIDA Partnership Announced
The Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) agrees to oversee the project, providing state-level approval authority and tax incentive structures tied to national security infrastructure.
Public Review Period
Box Elder County holds public comment sessions. Supporters cite economic development and national security. Critics raise concerns about water, carbon emissions, and the precedent of bypassing normal county zoning.
County Commission Approves Phase 1
Box Elder County commissioners vote unanimously to approve Phase 1 of the Stratos Project — approximately 3 gigawatts of data center capacity in Hansel Valley, with its own on-site natural gas power plant.
Phase 1 Construction
Construction of the first power generation units and data center buildings begins. The project is expected to take 2–3 years to complete Phase 1, with the first buildings coming online in stages.
Phase 2 Review & Approval
If Phase 1 proceeds as planned, developers will seek approval for Phase 2 — expansion into Locomotive Valley with an additional ~3 GW of capacity.
Full Buildout
At full buildout, the campus would reach 9 GW of capacity across both valleys, with approximately 90 data center buildings and a total investment of $35–50 billion.
Is This Good for Utah?
A balanced look at the benefits and drawbacks — the honest case for and against the Stratos Project.
Simple Explanation
There is no simple yes or no answer. The Stratos Project brings real economic benefits to a rural county that needs them. It also brings real environmental costs that affect everyone on Earth. Whether you think it's "good" depends on how you weigh jobs and national security against climate and water concerns.
The Case For
2,000 Permanent Jobs
High-paying technology and operations roles in Box Elder County, which has historically struggled with economic development. Average tech data center jobs pay $80,000–$120,000/year.
$35–50 Billion Investment
Total capital investment over the full buildout. This is the largest private investment in Utah history by a wide margin.
Tax Revenue for Schools & Roads
Property taxes, sales taxes, and business taxes from the campus will flow to Box Elder County and Utah state, funding schools, roads, and public services.
National Security Infrastructure
AI computing is now considered critical national security infrastructure. MIDA's involvement means the project has a defense component — keeping advanced AI computing on American soil.
Off-Grid Power = No Rate Impact
Because the project generates its own electricity, Utah residents' power bills will not increase. The project adds zero load to the public grid.
Remote Location = Minimal Disruption
No homes, no farms, no schools, no churches nearby. The project's impacts on daily community life are minimal compared to industrial projects near populated areas.
The Case Against
34 Million Tons of CO₂ Per Year
At full capacity, the project would increase Utah's total carbon emissions by more than 50% — a large number at the state level. Globally, however, its ~0.002 ppm/year CO₂ addition is a tiny fraction of worldwide emissions and negligible on its own as a climate driver.
Water Use in a Drought State
Even with a closed-loop system, the project will use substantial water in a state already struggling with drought and a shrinking Great Salt Lake.
MIDA Bypasses Normal Zoning
By routing the project through MIDA (a state military authority), developers bypassed the normal county zoning and environmental review process. Critics say this sets a dangerous precedent.
Irreversible Land Use
Once 40,000 acres of desert are developed with industrial infrastructure, returning them to their natural state is practically impossible. This is a permanent change to the landscape.
No Independent Environmental Review
The project was approved without a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The document analysis found no evidence of independent water, air, or ecological studies.
Concentrated Economic Risk
If the AI industry slows, if the company fails, or if technology changes, Box Elder County could be left with a partially built industrial campus and no jobs.
Box Elder County Context
What Should Be Required
Recommended conditions and safeguards that would make this project safer, more transparent, and more accountable to the public.
Simple Explanation
Approval doesn't mean "anything goes." When governments approve big projects, they can attach conditions — rules the developer must follow. These conditions protect the public, the environment, and future generations. The following are the most important conditions that should be required for the Stratos Project.
1.Install Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Why It Matters
To make sure underground water levels don't drop unexpectedly.
What It Should Require
Drill monitoring wells around the property boundary and near the Great Salt Lake. Measure water levels monthly and report results publicly. If levels drop more than a set amount, pause water use until the cause is investigated.
2.Continuous Air Quality Monitoring
Why It Matters
To track what's actually coming out of the smokestacks in real time.
What It Should Require
Install continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) on all power plant stacks. Data should be publicly accessible online in real time — not just in annual reports. Include monitoring for CO₂, NOₓ, particulate matter, and ozone precursors.
3.Commission an Independent Hydrology Study
Why It Matters
Because no independent water study has been done yet.
What It Should Require
Before Phase 2 approval, require a full independent hydrological study of both valleys and their connection to the Great Salt Lake watershed. The study should be conducted by a neutral third party — not paid for by the developer.
4.Public Reporting Dashboard
Why It Matters
So ordinary citizens can see what's happening without needing to be scientists.
What It Should Require
Create a publicly accessible online dashboard showing: daily water consumption, monthly emissions data, employment numbers, tax payments, and any permit violations. Update it at least monthly.
5.Carbon Offset or Mitigation Plan
Why It Matters
To address the 34 million tons of CO₂ that will be released each year.
What It Should Require
Require the developer to submit a credible carbon mitigation plan — whether through direct carbon capture, renewable energy offsets, or reforestation credits. The plan should be independently verified, not self-reported.
6.Decommissioning Bond
Why It Matters
To protect the county if the company ever goes bankrupt or abandons the project.
What It Should Require
Require the developer to post a substantial bond (financial guarantee) that covers the cost of cleaning up and restoring the site if the project is ever abandoned. This protects taxpayers from being left with the cleanup bill.
Overall Assessment
The Bottom Line
The Stratos Project is a legitimate and potentially transformative economic development for Box Elder County and the state of Utah. The location is genuinely well-chosen — remote, pipeline-adjacent, and with minimal conflict with existing land uses.
The environmental concerns — particularly CO₂ emissions and water — are real but manageable with proper oversight. The biggest risk is not the project itself, but the lack of independent monitoring and accountability structures.
What Happens Next
Phase 1 construction begins in Hansel Valley
Permitting for the natural gas power plant proceeds
Water rights transfer applications are processed
Phase 2 review begins for Locomotive Valley
Community monitoring and reporting structures are established
Long-term environmental impact becomes clearer over time
Where Is This?
An interactive map showing the project sites, the Ruby Pipeline, nearby historical landmarks, and the Great Salt Lake.
Simple Explanation
Click any marker on the map to learn more about that location. The two orange pins are the project sites. The green pin marks the Ruby Pipeline. The blue pins are historical sites. Use the buttons below to jump to any location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to the questions people actually ask — no spin, no jargon.
18 questions in all categories
Glossary of Terms
Every technical term used in this guide — explained in plain language. No jargon, no assumptions.
Showing 20 of 20 terms
Acre-Foot
WaterA unit of water volume equal to one acre of land covered one foot deep in water. That's 325,851 gallons — enough to supply about 3 average American households for a full year. The Stratos Project has secured ~3,000 acre-feet of water rights.
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
TechnologyComputer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence — like recognizing speech, translating languages, writing text, or making decisions. AI requires enormous computing power to train and run, which is why it needs massive data centers.
Aquifer
WaterAn underground layer of rock or sediment that holds water. Like a giant underground sponge. You drill a well down into an aquifer to pump water up. Aquifers refill slowly over years or decades from rain and snowmelt seeping into the ground.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
EnvironmentA colorless, odorless gas produced when carbon-containing fuels (like natural gas) are burned. CO₂ traps heat in the atmosphere — this is the greenhouse effect that causes climate change. Currently at 432 parts per million in the atmosphere, up from 280 before industrialization.
CCGT (Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine)
PowerA highly efficient type of power plant that burns natural gas. First, gas spins a turbine like a jet engine. Then, the waste heat from that turbine is used to boil water and spin a second steam turbine. This 'combined cycle' captures more energy — about 55–60% efficiency vs. 35% for older plants.
Closed-Loop Cooling
WaterA cooling system where the same water circulates continuously — like a car's radiator — instead of being used once and discharged. Water absorbs heat from computers, carries it to cooling towers outside, releases the heat to the air, and then recirculates. This dramatically reduces total water consumption.
Data Center
TechnologyA large building filled with rows of powerful computers (servers) that store and process data. When you use Google, stream Netflix, or ask ChatGPT a question, your request is handled by computers in a data center somewhere. A hyperscale data center is simply a very large one.
Gigawatt (GW)
PowerA unit of electrical power equal to one billion watts. One gigawatt can power approximately 750,000 average American homes. The entire state of Utah currently uses about 4 gigawatts. The Stratos Project at full capacity would use 9 gigawatts — more than twice Utah's current total.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
TechnologyA specialized computer chip originally designed for video games, but now used extensively for AI. GPUs can perform thousands of calculations simultaneously, making them ideal for training AI models. A single AI server rack might contain 8–16 GPUs, each consuming as much power as a hair dryer.
Groundwater
WaterWater that exists underground in the spaces between rocks and soil particles. It fills aquifers and can be accessed by drilling wells. Groundwater moves very slowly — sometimes just a few feet per year — and takes a long time to recharge after being pumped out.
Hyperscale
TechnologyA term for data centers that are extremely large — typically over 100,000 square feet and consuming more than 40 megawatts of power. The Stratos Project would be 'hyperscale' many times over, consuming up to 9,000 megawatts (9 gigawatts) at full buildout.
MIDA (Military Installation Development Authority)
GovernmentA Utah state government agency created to develop land near military installations. MIDA has special authority to approve projects that would otherwise go through normal county zoning. The Stratos Project used MIDA's authority to fast-track approval, which critics say bypassed normal public review.
Natural Gas
PowerA fossil fuel composed mostly of methane (CH₄). It is extracted from underground deposits, transported through pipelines, and burned to generate electricity or heat. It burns cleaner than coal — producing about half the CO₂ per unit of energy — but still releases significant greenhouse gases.
NOₓ (Nitrogen Oxides)
EnvironmentA group of gases produced when fuel is burned at high temperatures. NOₓ contributes to smog and can irritate lungs. Modern gas turbines use technology to minimize NOₓ emissions. At the remote Stratos location, NOₓ is less of a local health concern than it would be near a city.
Parts Per Million (PPM)
EnvironmentA way to measure very small concentrations. If CO₂ is at 432 ppm, that means 432 out of every 1,000,000 molecules of air are CO₂ — that's 0.0432%. It sounds tiny, but even small changes in CO₂ concentration have large effects on global temperature over time.
Pipeline (Ruby Pipeline)
InfrastructureAn underground pipe that carries natural gas over long distances. The Ruby Pipeline is 680 miles long, running from Wyoming through Nevada to Oregon. It passes directly through Hansel Valley, giving the Stratos Project access to natural gas without needing to build a new pipeline.
Prior Appropriation
WaterUtah's water law system, based on the principle 'first in time, first in right.' Whoever claimed a water right first has priority during droughts. Water rights are tied to specific uses and locations. The Stratos Project is transferring existing agricultural water rights to industrial use — a standard legal process in Utah.
Terawatt-Hour (TWh)
PowerA unit of energy equal to one trillion watt-hours. The Stratos Project would consume approximately 78.84 TWh per year at full capacity. For comparison, the entire country of Chile uses about 75 TWh per year. The entire U.S. uses about 4,000 TWh per year.
Thermal Plume
EnvironmentA column of warm air rising from a heat source — like the steam you see rising from cooling towers. Data centers and power plants create large thermal plumes. In a remote desert, these plumes can alter local wind patterns and microclimates, potentially affecting wildlife behavior.
Water Rights
WaterA legal permission to use a specific amount of water from a specific source for a specific purpose. In Utah, you can't just drill a well and pump as much water as you want — you need a water right. The Stratos Project has secured ~3,000 acre-feet of water rights from existing agricultural sources on the property.