Converse County rolls back industrial park fast track policy for data centers

Converse County commissioners have voted to rescind a policy, Resolution 05-26, that established a local fast-track process for designating industrial parks, including those intended for data centers. The policy, adopted on April 21, was aimed at streamlining state review under the Industrial Siting Act for projects such as the early-stage 1.5-gigawatt Prometheus Hyperscale data center.

The decision to nullify the resolution followed an administrative review by the Wyoming attorney general, who advised the commissioners that counties lack the statutory authority to create independent local processes for Industrial Siting Act exemptions. Instead, state statutes mandate that industrial zoning designations must proceed through existing county planning and zoning regulations.

The rescission of the fast-track policy was first reported by Wyoming Data Center Facts, a website launched by landowners neighboring the proposed Prometheus Hyperscale site. Neighbor Kevin Hool expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it ensures the project will now be subject to the same public notice, environmental review, and permitting requirements as other major industrial zoning decisions in the state.

This regulatory adjustment comes amidst broader legislative efforts by residents and state lawmakers in Wyoming to regulate large-scale technology infrastructure. Hool also indicated that discussions are underway for at least four potential legislative bills aimed at limiting data center expansion across the state.