Wyoming Governor Signs AI Data Center Executive Order
In brief
- Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed Executive Order 2026-03 titled 'Data Centers the Wyoming Way' on June 3, 2026.
- State agencies must deliver policy and legislative recommendations for AI data center development within 60 days.
- The order balances economic growth, energy innovation, and job creation while protecting state resources and ratepayers.
- Wyoming's crypto-friendly infrastructure and favorable energy tariffs attract major AI data center projects.
Wyoming's AI Infrastructure Opportunity
Wyoming has positioned itself as a hub for energy-intensive computing projects. The state's crypto-friendly regulatory environment, established in the late 2010s, includes blockchain-specific laws and favorable energy tariffs that now attract AI data center operators. Wyoming has been one of the most crypto-friendly states in the US since the late 2010s, when it established a suite of blockchain-friendly laws and advantageous energy tariffs.
The convergence of crypto and AI infrastructure is already visible on the ground. CleanSpark, a mining and energy company, reportedly outbid Microsoft for a 100 MW energy site in Cheyenne to implement an AI data center project. This signals how quickly the landscape is shifting.
Project Jade and Flexible Compute
In January 2026, Laramie County approved Project Jade, an AI data center campus expected to launch with 1.8 GW of energy capacity, with potential to expand to 10 GW. The project exemplifies Wyoming's ambitions in the space.
Wyoming's existing Blockchain Interruptible Service tariffs allow mining operations to access power at favorable rates while agreeing to curtail usage during peak demand periods. This model is now extending to AI workloads. Companies holding power purchase agreements and mining sites in Wyoming can mine Bitcoin when profitable, pivot compute resources toward AI workloads when those contracts pay better, or run both simultaneously.
What the Executive Order Means
The 60-day timeline is aggressive. State agencies must now draft recommendations that balance economic development with responsible resource stewardship. The order reflects Gordon's recognition that Wyoming can capture a meaningful share of the AI infrastructure boom without sacrificing energy security or rate stability for residents.
The emphasis is on balancing economic growth with responsible energy usage and job creation for Wyoming residents. If state agencies deliver workable policy frameworks on schedule, Wyoming could cement its position as a preferred jurisdiction for hybrid crypto-AI compute operations.
