Prometheus cancels data center proposal near Casper

Prometheus Hyperscale is no longer pursuing its 1,250-megawatt artificial intelligence computing complex east of Casper, developers announced Wednesday.

“After spending a great deal of time evaluating the opportunity we have decided to not pursue a data center project in Natrona or Converse Counties,” Prometheus Hyperscale President Trevor Neilson told WyoFile via email Wednesday morning.

The decision comes amid growing questions and outright opposition to data center development in Wyoming and nationally. The myriad proposals around Wyoming became a campaign issue this election season, with candidates such as Republican House nominee Chuck Gray making their opposition to data centers a key part of their message to voters.

Neilson didn’t explain what led to the decision, but indicated the company is still pursuing its data center and energy complex in southwestern Wyoming.

“We are thrilled with our progress in Evanston with Uinta County and believe other additional locations in Wyoming offer a clearer path to permitting and community support.”

The company originally proposed the $500 million project to potentially straddle both Natrona and Converse counties, but reconfigured plans to site the entire project in rural Natrona County east of Casper. Prometheus founder Trenton Thornock appeared before Natrona County commissioners in September, kicking off initial discussions to potentially bypass state-level industrial permitting to tailor the project to Natrona County parameters.

Commissioner Dave North said he heard about Prometheus’ cancellation via news reports, and didn’t have any information about the company’s decision.

“It took me by surprise,” North told WyoFile. 

Typically, industrial projects of a certain scale must undergo a Wyoming Industrial Siting Act review and obtain a permit from the Industrial Siting Council, which requires some 19 different state and federal agencies to analyze and weigh in on projects. But some prospective data center developers have favored opting out of the Industrial Siting Act, taking advantage of the state’s “industrial park exemption.” It allows developers to approach counties that have robust zoning to take on the task, if they’re willing.

Those discussions in Natrona County began in September, with commissioners contemplating assurances that the data center’s water consumption wouldn’t harm local resources and that its electrical needs wouldn’t spike rates for residents. Keeping noise and light pollution in check was also top of mind.

But those talks hadn’t yet reached the point of actual negotiations or any actual permit or zoning applications, according to North. 

Though commissioners heard from plenty of residents who were against the project, North added, they probably heard from more who were in favor.

“I listened to their concerns, but pretty much all of their concerns could have been mitigated — the ones that I heard, anyway,” North said.

Commission Chairman Jim Milne said he was also caught by surprise and didn’t know what led to Prometheus’ decision.

“I don’t see the Natrona County government as being a deciding factor for them to pull out, but I don’t know,” Milne told WyoFile. “I’m just kind of disappointed, and I’d highly encourage them to reconsider if they have a future project or change their minds and reconsider Natrona County.”

This is a breaking news story and may be updated.