Select Water Committee looks at Data Centers

The Wyoming Select Water Committee held a meeting in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to examine the impact of data centers on the state's resources. The discussion was framed by concerns over Wyoming's youth exodus due to a lack of diverse jobs, housing, and amenities, with data centers presented as a potential economic driver. Brandon Gebhart, the Wyoming State Engineer, acknowledged the challenges posed by declining hydrology across the state but emphasized the need for ingenuity and technology to improve water use efficiency. Renny MacKay, President of the Wyoming Business Alliance, highlighted Wyoming's cool climate and tax benefits as draws for data centers, noting that closed-loop cooling systems employed by facilities in Laramie County (where 13 data centers exist with 7 more planned) significantly limit water usage. These systems, along with self-sustaining electrical facilities, are touted to consume minimal water, equating to about three Olympic-sized pools over six years. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins underscored the economic benefits, including over $1 billion in returns from a sub-$10-million investment, generating property and sales taxes, and creating jobs that could encourage young families to remain in Wyoming. While current data centers are cloud-based, the committee also considered the future impact of AI, which requires more energy and cooling, on forthcoming facilities. The overarching theme of the meeting was balancing economic diversification with responsible resource management in a state experiencing long-term drought conditions.