Prometheus Faces Skeptical Crowd In Evanston Over Huge 1.2GW Data Center
Prometheus Hyperscale presented plans for a 1.2 gigawatt data center in Evanston, Wyoming, to a skeptical Uinta County community. Residents voiced significant concerns regarding water and power usage, potential impact on local resources, and jobs. The company addressed these, proposing sustainable cooling, off-grid natural gas power, and promising local economic benefits.
Prometheus Hyperscale, founded by fifth-generation Wyoming rancher Trenton Thornock, unveiled plans for a massive 1.2-gigawatt data center campus on family-owned land east of Evanston, Wyoming. The proposal was met with skepticism from Uinta County residents at an informational meeting, reflecting broader concerns across the state regarding data center expansion. Thornock emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability, designing systems that reduce power and water consumption, unlike current industry practices.
Residents pressed Prometheus Hyperscale officials, including CEO Bernard Looney and Head of Global Infrastructure James Faccone, on critical issues such as water usage, power sources, tenant identity, potential workforce housing needs, and local job creation. Thornock assured attendees that the facility would use a closed-loop liquid cooling system with minimal well water for domestic use, and an off-grid natural gas generation system, avoiding strain on the local power grid and water supplies. He also stated that a binding agreement restricts future owners and that a previous contract with Chinese-owned ByteDance was rejected.
The company projects a significant economic impact, including a $3.1 billion economic benefit to Uinta County through 2032 and 200 high-paying, non-remote jobs, along with substantial property and severance tax revenues for local schools and services. Construction is anticipated to begin within six to nine months, with operations slated for 2027. Prometheus Hyperscale is also developing a data center in Natrona County and aims to address community concerns through benefit agreements and local-hiring initiatives, promoting data centers as a solution to Wyoming's youth outmigration.