Prometheus Pushes Ahead On $32B Wyoming Data Centers As Legal Challenge Fades
Prometheus Hyperscale is moving forward with its $32 billion data center projects in Uinta and Natrona counties, Wyoming, after a legal challenge against its Evanston facility was dismissed. A judge ruled that opponents failed to timely respond to a motion to dismiss, leaving the county's conditional-use permits intact. The company is now focusing on power infrastructure approvals and workforce training for both sites.
Prometheus Hyperscale is actively progressing with its expansive data center plans in Wyoming, encompassing a site near Evanston in Uinta County and a second facility of similar scale in Natrona County. The combined investment for these projects is estimated at $32 billion, representing one of the largest private investments in the state. Company president Trevor Neilson affirmed the Uinta County project remains on schedule, with county approvals and workforce training initiatives advancing.
The company's forward momentum follows the collapse of an administrative review challenge that sought to halt the Uinta County project. Petitioners Christy Katzl, Wilhelm Katzl, and Marijke Rossi had alleged unadvertised meetings and undisclosed conflicts of interest by Uinta County commissioners and developers, in addition to demanding an environmental impact study for the data center's proposed closed-loop water system. Judge James Kaste, however, dismissed the petition on August 17, citing the petitioners' failure to respond to a motion to dismiss in a timely manner and their inability to demonstrate personal harm. This ruling upholds the county's conditional-use permits.
Despite the legal setback, Christy Katzl expressed her continued concerns but indicated she is stepping back from the effort due to health reasons, encouraging other Uinta County citizens to carry on the opposition. Prometheus Hyperscale is preparing for a crucial meeting with the Uinta County Commission to discuss power infrastructure, one of the final steps before construction can commence. Neilson highlighted Uinta County's permit conditions as a model for responsible development, which Natrona County officials are reportedly considering for their own regulatory framework.
Neilson also commented on the broader opposition to data centers, particularly in Texas, where a moratorium on grid-connected data centers has been enacted. He emphasized the importance of authentic community engagement, stating that Prometheus Hyperscale proactively proposed and accepted numerous conditions to ensure transparency and responsible development, a strategy he believes prevents the kind of pushback seen elsewhere.