Wyoming Lawmakers Scrutinize Data Center Electricity and Water Usage

Legislators aim to ensure data centers don't strain resources for Wyoming families and businesses.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:53pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a data center server rack, with intricate hardware components illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, conveying the power and resource demands of modern computing.As Wyoming lawmakers scrutinize the energy and water usage of the state's growing data center industry, the scale and complexity of modern computing infrastructure comes into focus.Laramie Today

A bipartisan legislative committee in Wyoming is taking a close look at the state's growing data center industry, focusing on the centers' electricity consumption and water usage. Committee co-chairs Rep. Daniel Singh and Sen. Chris Rothfuss say they want to make sure these major new power users don't drive up costs or strain availability of electricity and water for Wyoming residents and businesses.

Why it matters

As more large-scale data centers move into Wyoming, there are growing concerns from local communities about the centers' significant demands on the state's limited electricity and water resources. Lawmakers want to get ahead of potential issues and ensure data centers are operating in a sustainable way that benefits the broader Wyoming economy.

The details

The Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology And Digital Innovation Technology, co-chaired by Rep. Daniel Singh and Sen. Chris Rothfuss, will be examining data centers' electricity usage and cooling technologies. Singh says the committee will push for requirements that data centers generate their own electricity "preferably using traditional fuels, minerals from Wyoming." They also want to explore options for data centers to use air cooling or other liquids instead of water for cooling systems.

  • The legislative committee will be taking up the data center issue in the coming months.
  • Rep. Singh discussed the committee's plans in a recent interview on the "Weekend In Wyoming" radio program.

The players

Rep. Daniel Singh

The House Chair of the Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology And Digital Innovation Technology, who is leading the effort to scrutinize data centers' electricity and water usage in Wyoming.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss

The Senate Chair of the Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology And Digital Innovation Technology, co-leading the committee's examination of data centers in Wyoming.

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What they’re saying

“We will be taking a serious look at data centers and electricity usage. As more large scale computing operations come into Wyoming, we have to make sure these major electricity users do not affect the availability or cost of power for everyday Wyoming families, workers, and businesses.”

— Rep. Daniel Singh, House Chair, Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology And Digital Innovation Technology

“I hope that these tech companies are getting the picture that if these people want to do business in states like Wyoming, that they need to respect the wishes of the people that live here. So they can't be using insane amounts of water.”

— Rep. Daniel Singh, House Chair, Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology And Digital Innovation Technology

What’s next

The legislative committee plans to hold hearings and discussions on data center regulations in the coming months, with a focus on electricity usage and water consumption.

The takeaway

Wyoming lawmakers are taking a proactive approach to ensure the state's growing data center industry operates in a sustainable way that doesn't strain critical resources or drive up costs for Wyoming residents and businesses. Their scrutiny of energy and water usage aims to balance economic development with community needs.