Gillette forum reveals varying perspectives on data center development
A Wyoming Outdoor Council forum in Gillette brought together residents concerned about the energy, water and environmental impacts of potential hyperscale data centers. The council is advocating for stronger state review, community benefit agreements and possible changes to tax and siting rules, while some state leaders and developers emphasize economic benefits.
About 100 residents attended a Wyoming Outdoor Council forum in Gillette to discuss the potential effects of hyperscale data centers on energy markets, water supplies, pollution, livestock and communities. The meeting was one of seven forums held across Wyoming, where opposition to large data centers has been widespread, although some residents said they remain open to development if accurate information and enforceable protections are provided.
The council is seeking to close an exemption that allows projects located in existing industrial parks to avoid portions of the state’s Industrial Siting Act review. It also supports community benefit agreements requiring developers to provide protections, jobs or other benefits. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has called for development to follow the “Wyoming way,” while the Cheyenne City Council rejected both a proposed $50 million agreement with Microsoft and a one-year moratorium on new data centers. Google has agreed to purchase power from Black Hills Corp. for a planned Cheyenne facility that could require up to 10 gigawatts of electricity, and lawmakers are expected to consider data center taxes and additional regulatory changes.