Cheyenne Data Center Surge Prompts Push For 12-Month Moratorium

Cheyenne, Wyoming, is grappling with a significant influx of proposed data center developments, with as many as 70 projects currently under discussion. In response to mounting public concern, Councilman Mark Moody has proposed a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction. The proposal stems from a grassroots petition campaign seeking 7,000 signatures to halt new development, driven by worries about the strain on electricity rates, water usage, and the environment. Councilman Moody's ordinance aims to provide city staff with a year to study these impacts and recommend necessary changes to existing codes and regulations. However, the moratorium faces hurdles. Mayor Patrick Collins indicated the proposal would undergo a standard committee review process, suggesting it's not a 'done deal,' and expressed his preference for evaluating projects individually rather than imposing a blanket ban. Ward I Councilman Larry Wolfe raised concerns about the city's legal authority to enact a moratorium and the lack of funding for a comprehensive study. He emphasized that the city's involvement with these private projects primarily relates to annexation and site plan processes. Despite these reservations, the article highlights broader legislative considerations at the state level. Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, believes cities possess the authority to implement moratoriums via zoning ordinances and has proposed a gross receipts tax on data center electricity consumption, along with stronger regulatory frameworks for water and power. Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, also expressed support for a slowdown, citing concerns about infrastructure demands, water competition, and transparency in government decisions, particularly in light of large projects like Microsoft's proposed 3,200-acre expansion and the contentious Cox Ranch data center rezoning, which has already been paused.