Wyoming Governor Signs Order to Accelerate AI Data Center Development
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed Executive Order 2026-03 on June 3, directing state agencies to develop policy recommendations for large-load data center facilities within 60 days. The order, titled "Data Centers the Wyoming Way," aims to balance economic growth with responsible energy use and local job creation.
The state has cultivated advantages for data-intensive operations over the past six years. Wyoming established blockchain-friendly regulations and created Blockchain Interruptible Service tariffs, which let operators access power at reduced rates in exchange for curtailing usage during peak demand periods.
The Crypto-to-AI Shift
Companies that secured power purchase agreements and mining permits now hold dual-use assets. They can mine Bitcoin when profitable, shift compute resources to AI workloads when those contracts pay better, or run both simultaneously.
CleanSpark exemplifies this convergence. The company reportedly outbid Microsoft for a 100 MW energy site in Cheyenne to build an AI data center.
In January 2026, Laramie County approved Project Jade, an AI data center campus launching with 1.8 GW of energy capacity and potential to expand to 10 GW.
What Executives Should Watch
The 60-day deadline creates a compressed timeline for policy changes. Companies evaluating data center locations should monitor Wyoming's recommendations on energy tariffs, grid access, and permitting timelines.
The order signals Wyoming's intent to compete for large AI infrastructure projects. For executives planning data center investments, the state's existing power infrastructure and regulatory framework warrant close attention.
AI for Executives & Strategy professionals should track how states structure incentives for compute-heavy operations. AI for Operations teams managing infrastructure will find Wyoming's approach to load management and energy allocation directly relevant to facility planning.
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