Wyoming is doubling down on its role in the nationwide artificial intelligence infrastructure boom, and at the center of that push is a massive new data center project near Cheyenne that’s poised to be one of the biggest in the country, Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports.
At a Jan. 14 meeting, Laramie County Commissioners unanimously approved site plans for an AI data center campus – dubbed Project Jade – and a matching power plant south of Cheyenne. The project, led by energy infrastructure firm Tallgrass Energy and AI data center builder Crusoe, will initially aim for about 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity, with room to expand to 10 GW down the road. That’s enough computing electricity to dwarf current statewide use.
To put that in perspective, a gigawatt can power roughly one million homes, and if fully expanded, the center could use more electricity than all the homes in Wyoming combined – a remarkable claim for the least densely populated US state.
Officials and developers say the timing couldn’t be better. Wyoming’s abundant natural gas and affordable power, plus its cooler climate for efficient server cooling, make it an attractive spot for AI infrastructure. Gov. Mark Gordon and other state leaders have touted the project as a win for economic diversification, local jobs and Wyoming’s role in the high‑tech future.
“This project will bring meaningful investment and long‑term jobs,” said advocates during the county hearing, pointing to thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions once the campus is up and running.
Unlike traditional data center developments that lean on the local power grid, Project Jade will include its own dedicated power generation facilities – a mix of natural gas turbines and planned renewable sources designed to supply the massive energy demands on site without directly stressing regional utilities. Supporters argued this “bring‑your‑own‑power” model will protect local electricity rates for residents.
Still, not everyone is sold. Residents living near the proposed campus raised concerns at the public hearing about things like groundwater safety, air emissions and the long‑term environmental footprint of such a gigantic facility. One local group asked commissioners to ensure wildlife and sensitive habitats are protected before construction ramps up.
The project’s first buildings are expected to break ground in early 2026, with operations likely beginning late 2027 – and if fully realized, Wyoming could host one of the largest AI computing hubs in the United States.
Cheyenne already has a growing tech footprint: Microsoft data centers have operated in the region for years, and a separate $1.2 billion AI data campus is also underway at the Cheyenne Business Parkway, set to bring hundreds of construction jobs and long‑term tax revenue to the area.
With all of this on the horizon, Wyoming is no longer just a traditional energy state – it’s staking a claim in the digital backbone of the AI era, even as questions about energy use, environmental impact and community balance continue to swirl.
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