Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed an executive order on June 3 that invites data center investment into the state — on one condition: developers pick up the tab for the electricity their projects consume. The order, called 'Data Centers the Wyoming Way', aims to keep households and small businesses from subsidizing the power demand of massive computing facilities.
Eight principles, grid stewardship first
The framework rests on eight guiding principles, with grid stewardship at the center. Developers must absorb the full cost of the new power load they create, protecting residents from rate hikes. The order also addresses water use, wildlife impacts, and workforce training — tying into a broader push by Gordon linked to a June 2 Trump administration directive on advanced artificial intelligence.
Why the timing matters
The order comes as data center construction surges nationwide to support AI and cloud computing. Wyoming already issues its own digital currency, the Frontier Stable Token, and is positioning itself as a tech-friendly state. But public opinion is shifting: a March Gallup poll found 70% of Americans do not want new AI data centers built in their local area. Half of those opponents cited excessive resource use, with 18% each flagging water and energy demands, and 16% pollution, including noise.
Political pushback and industry defense
In March, Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a federal bill to impose a moratorium on new AI data centers. The industry has pushed back on resource concerns. Google says American data centers consume less than 1% of the water households use on lawns each year. Microsoft’s CEO likened a single data center’s annual water use to that of one restaurant.
What happens next
The executive order directs state agencies to report back with recommendations within 60 days. That means detailed proposals are due in early August — setting up a fast timeline for turning the eight principles into concrete rules. Whether the state can balance investment with resource limits remains an open question, with national polls and federal legislation casting a long shadow.
