CHEYENNE — State Senator Cheri Steinmetz is asking Wyoming legislative leadership to determine whether lawmakers support convening a special legislative session focused on the growing number of proposed data centers and the wide-ranging impacts such developments could have on Wyoming communities, resources, and infrastructure.
In a letter sent to Legislative Service Office Director Matt Obrecht, House Speaker Chip Neiman, and Senate President Bo Biteman, Steinmetz requested a formal poll of House and Senate members regarding support for a special session dedicated solely to issues surrounding data centers, large industrial electrical loads, water consumption, electric grid reliability, and associated infrastructure demands.
The request comes in the wake of Governor Mark Gordon's recent executive order addressing data center development and amid increasing discussion of major data center projects across the state.
"Several interim committees are already studying portions of these issues," Steinmetz wrote. "However, the pace of development and the Governor's executive action suggest the Legislature should determine whether existing statutes provide adequate safeguards or whether additional legislative action may be warranted before major projects move forward."
The senator emphasized that her request is not directed toward any specific company or proposed project. Instead, she argued that lawmakers should evaluate whether Wyoming law is adequately prepared to address the potential long-term consequences of large-scale industrial developments.
Among the issues Steinmetz suggested lawmakers could examine during a special session are protections for Wyoming's water resources, groundwater supplies, and static water levels; electric reliability and ratepayer protections; responsibility for generation, transmission, and infrastructure costs; and safeguards for agricultural, industrial, and municipal water users.
She also highlighted concerns involving property rights, local government authority, financial assurance requirements, transportation impacts, housing pressures, public safety demands, and legislative oversight of projects with significant statewide implications.
Additionally, Steinmetz cited reported health concerns affecting humans, wildlife, and livestock as a topic deserving legislative review.
One of the central questions raised by the senator is whether the rapid advancement of proposed projects is outpacing the state's ability to fully assess their long-term impacts.
"Unlike many policy issues that affect only a particular industry, region, or constituency, this issue has the potential to affect every Wyoming citizen and nearly every aspect of life in our state," Steinmetz wrote.
Supporters of increased scrutiny argue that Wyoming's abundant energy resources, open land, and business-friendly climate have made the state an attractive destination for energy-intensive industries such as data centers and artificial intelligence computing facilities. However, critics have questioned whether existing laws adequately address the substantial electricity and water demands associated with some of the largest proposed developments.
Steinmetz contends that before Wyoming commits itself to projects that could shape the state's future for decades, legislators should have the opportunity to determine whether additional protections and oversight mechanisms are needed.
"Given the magnitude of these issues and their potential impact on Wyoming for generations to come, I believe it would be prudent to determine where members of the Legislature stand regarding possible additional action," she wrote.
Whether legislative leadership will conduct the requested poll or whether sufficient support exists for a special session remains unclear. Under Wyoming law, a special session called by the Legislature requires support from a majority of members in both chambers.
For now, Steinmetz says the goal is simple: ensuring Wyoming performs its due diligence before making decisions that could affect the state's economy, resources, communities, and quality of life for generations to come.
"We owe due diligence to our constituents and all Wyoming citizens," Steinmetz concluded.
Sen Cheri Steinmetz represents Goshen, Niobrara and Weston Counties in Wyoming Senate District 3