Some Cheyenne residents push for moratorium on data center projects

Several hundred residents in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have signed a petition calling for a 12-18 month moratorium on new data center developments. Organized by Heather Madrid, the petition aims to halt new approvals, permitting, and construction to allow for independent cumulative impact studies, citing concerns about noise and light pollution, the unprecedented scale of growth, and a lack of transparency in current regulatory processes. Madrid highlights potential health impacts and the rapid expansion, such as Microsoft's planned 3,200-acre project, which she believes current frameworks cannot adequately manage. She also notes that residents often become aware of data center projects only after annexation and rezoning measures are approved, leading to a feeling of being "locked in." Cheyenne officials and economic development leaders, however, express skepticism about the moratorium. City Councilman Larry Wolfe acknowledges the rapid pace of development has outstripped planning but questions the council's legal authority to implement a moratorium and its ultimate goals. Betsey Hale, CEO of Cheyenne LEADS, a key proponent of attracting data centers to the region, strongly opposes the moratorium, calling it a poor planning tool. Hale asserts that data centers contribute significantly to the local economy, provide high-wage jobs, and are financially responsible for extending necessary infrastructure. She also refutes water usage concerns, citing data that active data centers consume only 1.2% of Cheyenne’s municipal water supply due to efficient cooling technologies. Hale suggests that the underlying issue might be a broader concern over land-use decisions and transparency, rather than data centers specifically. The debate also touched upon allegations of foreign interference. Hale expressed suspicion about anonymous online criticisms and a report by the American Energy Institute tracing foreign funding to US advocacy groups pushing for data center moratoriums, suggesting "nefarious actors" might be trying to disrupt the American economy. Madrid, while not dismissing such theories entirely, clarified that local pushback is genuine, driven by concerns over infringement, property values, cost of living, and scarce resources, and affirmed that her local efforts are not financially motivated by external groups. As the petition continues to gather signatures, it remains unclear whether the city will pursue a moratorium or focus on updates to land-use policies and public engagement.