Wyoming Residents Join National Day Of Protest Against Data Centers
Dozens of Cheyenne residents protested at the Wyoming State Capitol against data centers, specifically targeting a Microsoft expansion project. The protest followed the Cheyenne City Council's 6-3 approval of a 3,500-acre annexation for the Microsoft data center, prompting opponents to launch a petition for a public referendum to overturn the decision. An earlier attempt to enact a 12-month moratorium on data center development failed.
Dozens of Cheyenne residents gathered at the Wyoming State Capitol as part of a national day of protest against data centers, organized by conservative activist Taylor Haynes and the group Humans First. The local protest specifically targeted a Microsoft data center expansion project south of Cheyenne, which involved a nearly 3,500-acre annexation recently approved by the Cheyenne City Council in a 6-3 vote.
Opponents, led by Katherine McAdams, quickly launched a petition drive for a public referendum to overturn the council's annexation decision. They aim to collect 2,700 signatures from legally registered Cheyenne voters to force a public vote on the issue. This comes after a previous petition in May for a 12-month moratorium on new data center planning or construction failed to gain council support.
While national and local discussions often highlight data centers' demands on water and electricity, Haynes focused his criticism on perceived threats to American freedom posed by artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. The protest, which included speakers like Haynes and candidates for local office, saw activists displaying "No Data Center" signs and collecting signatures to challenge the city's decision.