Wyoming Data Center Project Grows Due to Limited Local Regulatory Control.

A $66 billion data center project is advancing near Lost Cabin despite limited local regulatory control.

Fremont County, Wyoming, is witnessing the first phase of a vast data center development by ETC DC OpCo, raising structural concerns about environmental impacts and governance. The county lacks zoning authority to regulate such projects, prompting commissioners to contemplate new rules.

Construction has begun on a prototype facility, with estimates including a $16 million building and $22 million in electronics, and a total investment guessed at roughly $66 million. The center is planned to generate power on-site, potentially using natural gas reciprocating generators with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts. The current facility expects to have power from High Plains Power commissioned by late October or early November. Fremont County officials are weighing whether to establish regulations as the project may require Industrial Siting Council approval and commissioners anticipate more data centers could follow.

As the county assesses its regulatory stance, policymakers face decisions balancing economic development with environmental stewardship.

While Montana is not mentioned in the article, this project’s scale and regulatory challenges could be relevant to communities facing similar infrastructure pressures. This situation may prompt consideration of how local governance frameworks could affect large-scale projects, especially those involving significant power generation and environmental concerns.

Fremont County data center part of larger $66B plan – WyoFile
By Marit Gookin, The Ranger, Austin Beck-Doss, The Ranger, WyoFile