Study estimates Stratos gas power could cause up to 45 early deaths a year

Gas-fired power for the planned Stratos data center in Box Elder County could cause 5 to 45 additional premature deaths and up to $690 million in health costs each year, according to a report by EmPower Analytics Group commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The study is not peer-reviewed. ^[1][2]

The highest figures assume a 9-gigawatt buildout running at 90% capacity entirely on natural gas, emitting up to 3,140 tons of fine particulate matter a year. The study modeled 3- and 9-gigawatt versions using either a modern combined-cycle gas plant or gas engines like those at another Utah data center. It projects more asthma cases, hospital admissions and heart attacks across northern Utah, with effects reaching Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. ^[1][2]

"The report models scenarios built on assumptions about generating equipment that Stratos has not selected," Stratos spokesman Paul Palandjian said. He said the plant will meet state and federal air standards, will use turbines for primary power with engines for backup, and that dispersion modeling of the actual equipment will be made public during air permitting. ^[1]

Michael Cork, EmPower's CEO, said newer water applications describe a 7.5-gigawatt project, which would lower the estimates by roughly 17% if other assumptions stay the same. Utah Clean Energy climate scientist Logan Mitchell, who worked on the report, said the pollution would affect "all of northern Utah." ^[1]

Gov. Spencer Cox has said the project's first phase will not exceed 1.5 gigawatts and that later permits must depend on meeting clear metrics during that phase. The project, backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, sits in Hansel Valley and has been reduced from 40,000 to 20,000 acres. ^[2]