According to a Verge investigation, Kevin O'Leary's 'Wonder Valley' project in Box Elder County, Utah, was pitched as the world's largest data center, spanning 40,000 acres and powered by a dedicated gas plant generating 9 gigawatts—more than double the state's average electricity consumption. The project moved quickly with support from Utah's governor and legislative leaders, but local county commissioners said they were officially informed only five weeks before their unanimous vote.
Residents, including rancher Tim Munns, were skeptical and organized opposition. O'Leary responded on Fox Business by claiming critics were linked to China and reading names on air. He later issued a clarification saying he had no evidence that the named individuals or groups were funded by China, and Fox News apologized. Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, and two individuals sued O'Leary and Fox for defamation; the defendants moved to dismiss the suit in late September.
Because there is only one source, the article reflects The Verge's account; no independent confirmation is provided. The episode illustrates how fast-tracked infrastructure projects can collide with local communities, especially when celebrity promoters turn criticism into a national-security narrative.