Google outlines $17B Project Tembo data center campus in Laramie County
Google has outlined its $17 billion Project Tembo data center campus in Laramie County, Wyoming, at a public open house. The project involves four data centers and addresses community concerns regarding water usage, energy supply, noise, and environmental impacts. Google is partnering with Tallgrass Integrated Logistics Solutions LLC for power and plans to utilize fuel cells with carbon capture.
Google presented its $17 billion Project Tembo data center campus during a public open house in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming. The event drew public members, local and state government officials, and developers keen to learn about the proposed facility, which will include four data centers, an office building, and associated infrastructure.
Project Tembo represents an evolution from its predecessor, Project Jade, which initially involved a partnership between Tallgrass Integrated Logistics Solutions LLC and Crusoe Energy. After Crusoe's departure in April, Google stepped in as the primary partner. Google representatives, including land acquisition and development lead Eric Murray, detailed plans for construction to begin with mass grading later this year, with full buildout projected by mid-2031, employing 2,500 workers at peak construction and 250 operational staff initially.
Trystine Payfer, Google's public affairs manager, noted changes from Crusoe's original design, including reducing data centers from five to four and adjusting peak workforce numbers. Key community concerns regarding water and energy were addressed. Joey Terrano, Google's water lead, explained the facility would use an air-cooled, closed-loop system, consuming 20-30 million gallons annually for domestic and safety purposes from deep wells, with onsite wastewater treatment. Ellen Zuckerman, Google's head of energy regulatory work, stated Google would bring its own power supply in partnership with Tallgrass, using fuel cells combined with carbon capture and storage – Google's largest such deployment.
Environmental health consultant Chris Ollson discussed noise mitigation, citing Laramie County's 50-decibel property line limit. Google also plans to submit an air permit application for its emergency diesel generators within a month, anticipating state review and public comment period. Renny MacKay, Wyoming Business Alliance president, highlighted the project's significant economic impact and tax revenue diversification for the state.