Mayor's Minute: City working to get more information to the public on data centers
Cheyenne's City Council Public Services Committee considered a 12-month moratorium on data center development, but the motion was rejected. Concerns about electricity rates, water consumption, and traffic were raised by residents, while laborers highlighted economic benefits. Mayor Patrick Collins acknowledged public concerns and announced plans for a public website and meeting to provide more information and engage with the data center industry.
The Cheyenne City Council's Public Services Committee recently debated a proposed 12-month moratorium on data center development. After more than two hours of discussion, the motion to approve the moratorium failed to receive a second, meaning it will not advance to the full Governing Body for a recommendation.
The committee heard passionate arguments from both proponents and opponents of data center expansion. Concerns raised by residents included potential impacts on electric rates, water consumption, traffic, and cultural changes to the city. Conversely, laborers currently working on data center sites lauded the development for providing living wages, enabling them to buy homes and support their families, thereby stabilizing Cheyenne's financial future.
Mayor Patrick Collins, while acknowledging the public's concerns, stated his view that data center development, when properly managed, can provide significant careers and financial stability for Cheyenne, similar to other key industries in Wyoming counties. He committed to improving public information, announcing plans for a city website with data center campus maps and frequently asked questions, as well as a public meeting where experts will address community queries. The city also aims to work with the data center industry for earlier information sharing.
Separately, Mayor Collins also noted ongoing discussions with Tallgrass, which is building a power generation hub south of Cheyenne, regarding potential opportunities for the city to capture excess water from their deep Lance aquifer drilling, a possibility that excites local officials.