Natrona County commissioners are actively shaping the terms under which Prometheus Hyperscale may build a 1,250‑megawatt artificial‑intelligence computing complex east of Casper. In a recent meeting, officials said they will require assurances that the facility’s water use, electricity demand, noise and light levels do not harm residents, and that the project delivers a net benefit to the community.
Local officials set the agenda
Commission Chairman Jim Milne told WyoFile the process is “just barely even kicking off” and warned it will be “a long, long haul.” He emphasized that the county has ample opportunity to negotiate specific conditions with the developer.
Prometheus founder Trenton Thornock, a sixth‑generation Uinta County rancher, highlighted his ties to Wyoming’s natural resources and residents. He said the data center will employ a closed‑loop cooling system to limit water consumption and will use injection wells to sequester carbon dioxide from a fleet of natural‑gas‑fueled generators that operate independently of the public grid.
Bypassing the state‑wide permitting process
Thornock also proposed that Natrona County handle the permitting review instead of the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council, which he described as “cumbersome and time‑consuming.” He assured commissioners that no environmental or regulatory requirements would be waived.
Commissioner Dave North clarified that the project would still be subject to state wildlife, water and other statutory reviews. “They’re still going to have to go through the same stuff that they would have to go through with the Industrial Siting Council,” he said, noting the county route merely expedites the process.
What the “industrial park exemption” means
Wyoming law allows developers to approach counties with robust zoning and take on the permitting task themselves. North explained that this option works only when a county has the expertise and staff to conduct thorough reviews. “If you don’t have zoning, and you don’t have a development department, this would be a wreck,” he warned.
County officials acknowledge that handling the review adds workload, but they also gain the ability to demand community investments beyond standard regulations, such as donations for parks and other services.
Community input and transparency
Both Milne and North stressed the importance of keeping the public informed. While the final decision will not be made directly by residents, the commissioners plan public forums where citizens can ask questions and weigh in. “I will tell you, we’re listening,” North said, adding that he will relay community concerns to Prometheus.
Prometheus Chief of Staff Abby Pick confirmed the company will hold its own public meetings once more concrete details are available, pledging a transparent process that works “alongside local officials and the community every step of the way.”
Environmental watchdog concerns
Wyoming Outdoor Council’s Data Center Campaign Manager Jocelyn Wulf cautioned that county‑level reviews might not be as comprehensive as the 19‑agency state review. She warned that without rigorous oversight, counties could end up with fewer or, conversely, more regulations than intended.
Energy and Climate Policy Director John Burrows expressed fear of a “race to the bottom” if counties compete for corporate incentives without adequate safeguards, arguing that state oversight remains essential for protecting Wyoming’s environment.
Next steps
At present, no formal applications have been filed with Natrona County. Commissioners expect to schedule public meetings and continue negotiations with Prometheus in the coming months, ensuring that any eventual agreement aligns with the county’s standards and the interests of its residents.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
