Laramie County commissioners unanimously approved site plans for Project Jade, a massive data center campus that could become the largest in the U.S. This AI-focused facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming, starts at 1.8 gigawatts and plans to scale to 10 gigawatts. Construction begins soon in Switch Grass Industrial Park, 8 miles south of Cheyenne.
Crusoe Energy Systems develops the 600-acre Project Jade data center campus. Tallgrass Energy Partners builds the adjacent BFC Power and Cheyenne Power Hub on 659 acres for on-site natural gas turbines. Phase one includes master infrastructure like detention ponds, looped roads, and utility lines, with Building No. 1 operational by late 2027. Later phases add buildings with energy storage systems and duct banks for cables.
Approval Process
Commissioners voted in favor on January 6, 2026, following a public hearing. Chairman Gunnar Malm praised the companies’ long-term commitment to the community. All members supported the plans, noting the benefits for Wyoming residents. No major changes were required despite neighbor input.
Power and Scale
The initial 1.8 GW capacity exceeds Wyoming’s current statewide use fivefold and could double it alone. A complete 10 GW expansion, equivalent to 10 large nuclear plants, would set a global record, surpassing the top data centers listed by Brightlio. One GW powers 750,000 to 1 million U.S. homes, per the Department of Energy. Natural gas fuels phase one, with CO2 sequestration and future solar options planned.
Peak construction creates 5,000 jobs; operations add 400 permanent roles from janitors to engineers. Leaders like U.S. Sen. John Barrasso highlight high-paying jobs, tax revenue, and economic diversification. Gov. Mark Gordon called it a boost for natural gas producers. The project supports hyperscale AI and cloud providers, though clients remain unnamed.
Community Concerns
Nearby Hyndman Homesites residents raised issues on traffic, noise, emissions, light pollution, odors, wastewater ponds, and aquifer risks from deep wells under the Ogallala. They seek wildlife protection and mitigation. Water use for cooling draws scrutiny in arid Wyoming, despite closed-loop plans. No state regulations yet track data center impacts.
Image Credit – economytoday.sigmalive.com
