As data centers flood Wyoming, water pollution fouls good faith
Residents in Wyoming are growing concerned about the proliferation of data centers, especially after a Meta data center was linked to water contamination in Cheyenne. Amidst proposals for new data centers across the state, including in Evanston and Wheatland, communities are grappling with zoning changes and potential impacts on water and energy resources. Wyoming's Governor has signed an executive order to establish a framework for data center development.
Residents in Wyoming are expressing growing concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers across the state, highlighted by a recent water contamination incident in Cheyenne linked to a Meta data center. Officials traced a dangerous bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii, to a contractor for Meta, leading the city to terminate discharge privileges and prompting U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman to demand answers from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Meta has since appealed the city's violation notice.
The contamination incident has intensified worries among residents in communities like Evanston, Wheatland, and Casper, where numerous data center projects are proposed or underway. Kathryn Stevens, a resident near Wheatland, voiced opposition to a 5,344-acre data center proposal by Site Layer 4 in Platte County, citing concerns about a lack of local regulations. This project, which seeks a rezone from agricultural to industrial classification, has drawn hundreds of opposing comments ahead of an August 26 hearing before the Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Simultaneously, Microsoft plans to acquire over 3,000 acres south of Cheyenne for its data center expansion, and Prometheus Hyperscale is collaborating with the town of Evanston and Uinta County on "Project Torch," a 4,100-acre data center promising up to 1.2 gigawatts of power. These developments spark broader discussions about data center water consumption in semi-arid Wyoming, local control over development, and tax incentives for large corporations, issues now being debated by gubernatorial candidates.
In response to these statewide concerns, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed an executive order, "Data Centers the Wyoming Way," in early June. This order aims to establish a framework for future data center development, emphasizing that such innovation will proceed "on Wyoming terms," signaling the state's intent to regulate growth proactively.