Lawmakers talk data centers as developers look to expand in Wyoming

The Wyoming Legislature’s Select Water Committee recently convened in Cheyenne to address public and official concerns regarding water consumption by data centers. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins reported 13 major data centers currently operate in the city, with a "significant interest" in further development. He stated that the city now limits new data centers to using closed-loop cooling systems, which reportedly use minimal water – an estimated 200 acre-feet annually for existing facilities, or about 1.48% of Cheyenne's total water use. However, Rep. Garry Brown (R-Cheyenne) and Anna Kaufman of the Wyoming Outdoor Council expressed skepticism about the long-term efficiency and environmental impact of these systems. Brown highlighted that closed-loop systems might require more frequent replenishment than developers claim, while Kaufman noted their higher energy demands, shifting the environmental burden from water to power generation. Steve DelBianco, CEO of Netchoice, defended data centers, arguing they create jobs and tax revenue. Companies like Microsoft and Prometheus Hyperscale were mentioned regarding their cooling technologies, and Tallgrass and Crusoe Energy are planning a large 10-gigawatt data center near Cheyenne. Despite the discussions and concerns, the committee concluded without making any motions or explicit plans for drafting legislation, scheduling its next meeting for August 4.