“The framework ensures that as we drive economic diversification and seek to strengthen national security, we stand tall for our culture and transparency, protecting our Wyoming way of life …”
In Wyoming, we ride for the brand. That means looking out for each other, protecting our communities, and ensuring that any new partner who comes into the Cowboy State respects our way of life.
This week, I signed Executive Order 2026-03, Data Centers the Wyoming Way, to establish the Wyoming Data Center Development Framework. The order sends a clear message: we welcome technological innovation, but it will be done on Wyoming terms. My directive aligns Wyoming with the president’s recent executive order prioritizing advanced artificial intelligence for national security.
And, while I agree that our abundant energy resources, business-friendly environment and climate make Wyoming an attractive home for supercomputers and data hubs, I also hear the legitimate fears of citizens regarding electricity rates, water scarcity, and infrastructure impacts.
Prudence is a fundamental Wyoming virtue when it comes to weighing new opportunities. Wyoming folks want to see to it things are done the Wyoming way and we are clear we want facts not fiction.
We are not persuaded by national hype. Distinguishing the truth is harder to do these days when it has never been easier to spread misinformation on social media. Even campaign rhetoric muddies the waters.
We are already seeing the immense value these partnerships can bring when done right. They use our energy, can be regulated not to affect our electric rates, can be designed to minimize our water use below that of an average subdivision and they pay their employees well.
Data centers are not new to Wyoming.
For over 20 years, this industry has maintained a proven track record here, quietly employing Wyoming citizens, diversifying our economy, and providing stable, high-paying technology careers.
Newer, early-stage digital facilities are already showing signs of being true "good neighbors," injecting critical investment directly into our local economies.
These companies are demonstrating respect for Wyoming by funding community initiatives and education, backing municipal infrastructure, and engaging transparently with our towns.
Yet, across the nation, we are witnessing growing concern about data center developments and even outright opposition fueled by fear, lack of transparent industry information, abundant misinformation, and ad hoc development.
Documented investigative findings — as covered by the Washington Examiner — even reveal adversarial foreign states like China and Russia are actively using state-controlled media and propaganda to amplify these local anxieties.
It makes sense for them to do it if they want to weaken America, much as Tokyo Rose used to do during World War II.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explicitly warned that areas building out tech infrastructure are being "... bombarded with foreign-directed propaganda to try to block these from being built." (Fox Business Network, May 26, 2026).
Their objective is simple: exploit domestic infrastructure concerns to stall America's AI advancement and compromise our national security interests.
As your governor and a lifetime Wyoming resident, I am committed to making sure any development happens on Wyoming’s terms. And that Wyoming people have the information and confidence they need to make sure development is done correctly.
That is why I issued an executive order to spell out what we in Wyoming expect from data center developers.
I urge citizens and leaders to consider each proposal thoughtfully, according to the non-negotiable principles detailed in Section 3 of the executive order, which includes provision for:
● Grid Stewardship — Ratepayer Protection: Residential and small-business utility customers will be insulated from rate hikes, forcing developers to bear all incremental infrastructure costs.
● Water Sustainability: Facilities must adopt innovative cooling technologies tailored to our semi-arid climate to preserve our precious natural resources.
● Wildlife and Natural Resource Protection: Economic growth will be responsibly balanced with the conservation of our habitats, open spaces, and natural heritage.
● Local Authority and Community Investment: We are keeping power close to home, ensuring local councils and commissioners retain control while encouraging developers to invest in local housing, charity, and infrastructure.
● Workforce Priority: Partnering with the University of Wyoming and our community colleges to provide targeted training and apprenticeships for our local workers.
● Transparency and Public Engagement: State agencies will provide clear information regarding project impacts and guarantee meaningful opportunities for public meetings and participation.
● Energy Leadership and National Security: We will pursue opportunities that strengthen America’s technological leadership while advancing Wyoming's role as the nation's leading energy state.
● Revenue-Driven Economic Growth: We will leverage our competitive business climate to ensure development generates meaningful tax benefits for local governments, schools, and public services.
Wyoming has never run away from industrial progress; we manage it. By utilizing our existing regulatory expertise and acting with deliberate intention, we can capture the historic economic benefits of this tech boom without sacrificing our values.
Our economic future is strongest when citizens, state leaders, local officials, and industry work together in true partnership.
The framework ensures that as we drive economic diversification and seek to strengthen national security, we stand tall for our culture and transparency, protecting our Wyoming way of life now and for future generations.
Ride for the brand.
Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming's 33rd governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022
