Citizens push back on data center plans

A proposed data center in Lost Cabin, Fremont County, Wyoming, developed by ETC DC OpCo LLC, has ignited a debate over the county's regulatory authority regarding data center developments. The project, identified as the "1 MW DC Site" located east of Boysen Reservoir, involves the installation of eight natural-gas-fired emergency generator engines, for which the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Division is currently reviewing a permit application. Residents have expressed significant concerns about water consumption, noise pollution, and broader environmental impacts, urging Fremont County commissioners to establish clearer oversight.

During a recent meeting, Fremont County commissioners, including Chairman Larry Allen, discussed the potential for implementing data-center-specific zoning or other regulations to manage such industrial facilities. Planning Director Steve Baumann noted that without specific zoning, the county's regulatory powers are limited. State Senator Cale Case suggested narrowly tailored zoning as a local solution, while State Representative Pepper Ottman proposed development agreements to secure commitments from developers on environmental and community impacts.

The discussion highlights a gap in local control, despite Governor Mark Gordon's executive order encouraging data center development while emphasizing conservation. Public commenters, including Lander resident Taylor Pajunen and Diana Tillman Mitchell (who raised concerns about tribal water and treaty rights), largely called for caution and preventative policies. The DEQ's proposed permit for ETC DC OpCo's generators is open for public comment until September 14, and the county plans to continue researching its regulatory options.