Opposition And Pushback On Data Centers Spreads Beyond Cheyenne, Across Wyoming
Opposition to data center development, particularly from Prometheus Hyperscale, is intensifying across Wyoming, notably in Casper and Cheyenne. Residents express concerns over water and electricity usage amid drought conditions, as well as noise, traffic, property values, and surveillance. Cheyenne recently debated a 12-month moratorium on new data centers, but a committee failed to make a recommendation.
Residents across Wyoming are voicing increasing opposition to new data center developments, particularly those proposed by Prometheus Hyperscale in Casper and Evanston. Allyse Taylor, a Casper resident, connected the current drought and its impact on the environment, such as yellowing lodgepole pines, to the significant water and electricity demands of the proposed 1.5-gigawatt data center and its accompanying gas-fired power complex in Natrona County. Charlotte Naylor has initiated a petition in Casper, garnering hundreds of signatures, to halt the Prometheus Hyperscale project, citing concerns about noise, increased traffic, environmental degradation, and potential impacts on property values and utility costs near her Big Muddy Creek Ranchettes home.
The article highlights that these local concerns echo a broader debate in Cheyenne, where the City Council recently held an emotional, hours-long hearing on a proposed 12-month moratorium for new data centers. This debate pitted union workers, who anticipate job creation, against residents worried about the cumulative impacts on water, power, and local zoning. Ultimately, the committee reviewing the moratorium failed to provide a recommendation, sending the decision back to the full City Council. Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, suggested that the state legislature should address gaps in state law (Title 35, 37, and 41) regarding data center impacts.
Prometheus Hyperscale President Trevor Neilson and Founder Trenton Thornock have tried to allay fears, emphasizing closed-loop cooling systems that use minimal water and expressing their commitment to sustainability. Neilson also mentioned ongoing efforts to meet with residents in person to correct misinformation and discuss project details, including earthworks and noise mitigation. The company also highlights the economic benefits, such as thousands of construction jobs and potential long-term employment, which proponents like Eric Wyatt of Lyman believe are crucial for keeping younger generations in Wyoming. Despite developer reassurances, some opponents like Taylor also raise deeper societal concerns about the expansion of the "surveillance state" and digital privacy, a topic state Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, believes Wyoming is currently lagging on.