Utah Senate Candidate Nate Blouin Opposes O'Leary-Backed Data Center Over Climate, Energy Concerns

Utah state senator Nate Blouin, a Democratic candidate for the state’s 1st Congressional District—which includes Salt Lake City—has emerged as a leading critic of a proposed data center project in Box Elder County. The project, backed by celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary, has drawn significant public opposition, prompting Blouin to voice strong concerns over its environmental and energy implications.

Blouin’s positions, including his support for a national moratorium on AI data centers, have positioned him as a key figure in this year’s Democratic congressional primaries. The district’s recent redrawing has shifted it further left, amplifying the significance of his candidacy.

How is the opposition to the O’Leary-backed data center progressing?

“It’s good,” Blouin said. “People have really been activated by this. It’s always exciting for me to see when people get interested in politics because it hits close to their lives.” He noted that thousands of residents filed protests against water rights changes and attended county commission meetings in Box Elder County, demonstrating widespread awareness of the project’s potential impact.

Blouin emphasized that while public engagement is encouraging, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to concrete action to halt the project. “It’s good to have people involved, taking an interest in what I see as an environmental issue and an energy issue,” he added.

Why is this project a concern for your campaign, given its location outside Salt Lake County?

Blouin, who represents central Salt Lake County in the state senate and is running for a congressional district entirely within northern Salt Lake County, acknowledged the relevance of the issue. “This is a gigantic project,” he said. “Several gigawatts of energy, an enormous amount to put on or off the grid depending on how it plays out. It’s a huge project, likely the largest natural gas generating facility in the country and on par with some of the largest generating facilities in the world.”

He explained that the proposed location is approximately 50 to 70 miles across the Great Salt Lake from his current and prospective districts. “We already have really massive air quality issues in our area,” Blouin noted. “We have a Great Salt Lake that is struggling in incredible fashion, at one of its lowest ever levels and no hope of returning to normal in the near future.” He warned that the project could exacerbate climate damage and increase ozone levels in the region.

How does the data center issue shape your campaign and policy approach?

Blouin framed the data center debate as part of broader climate and energy concerns he has championed. “This ties together so many threads,” he said, highlighting the intersection of environmental justice, energy consumption, and economic priorities. His campaign centers on addressing these interconnected challenges, positioning him as a vocal advocate for sustainable development in Utah.