Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, April 6, 2026

Residents across Wyoming are voicing increasing opposition to the construction of data centers, citing concerns over significant water consumption and potential increases in utility prices. A representative from Cowboy State Daily reported speaking with individuals in Cheyenne and a utility in Laramie County, where anxieties also include the possibility of large, obsolete "ghost buildings" if technology rapidly advances. This local pushback coincides with broader discussions about data center investment, as a "Data + Power summit" recently convened in Jackson to promote Wyoming as a prime location for such facilities. In a parallel development, the Maine Senate is actively considering legislation that would impose an 18-month freeze on any new data center construction within the state. This legislative action reflects a growing trend of governmental bodies examining the environmental and economic impacts of data center proliferation. The proposed moratorium in Maine underscores the evolving regulatory landscape developers face nationwide. The article also briefly touches on the high demand for electricians fueled by data center construction across the U.S., noting that six-figure salaries are available, though often demanding extensive overtime and a nomadic lifestyle. This highlights one of the economic impacts, alongside the environmental concerns, being raised.