Google plans $17 billion Wyoming data center amid rising threats of curbs

Google plans to invest $17 billion in its first Wyoming data centre, pressing ahead with a major expansion of AI infrastructure as political opposition to such projects grows in the United States. The announcement comes after candidates who opposed data-centre expansion won key races in Texas and Georgia, raising questions about whether local and national resistance could slow the industry’s plans.

The project involves Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power and Related Digital, and will be powered partly by a planned 702-megawatt fuel-cell development with carbon capture and storage. Ballotpedia reported that all but one of 41 data-centre ballot measures held this week went against the industry. Separately, Microsoft has declined to expand a Texas data-centre agreement with Nscale, while Bloom Energy shares fell more than 14 per cent amid concerns about possible restrictions.