Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, has signed an executive order titled “Data Centers the Wyoming Way,” that establishes a state wide framework for data center development, laying out requirements for future projects as the state seeks to attract investment tied to artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Executive Order 2026-03, which took immediate effect from June 4, directs state agencies to coordinate on proposed developments and identify ways to streamline permitting, improve transparency, strengthen workforce readiness, and increase cooperation across government.
According to a report by GOCO news, the order comes as states compete for a growing share of data center construction driven by demand for AI infrastructure and digital services. It also references a directive from President Donald Trump promoting advanced artificial intelligence and its role in national security, stating that data center growth supports those policies.
“As America races to build the infrastructure needed to support advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and our nation’s rapidly growing digital economy, Wyoming is uniquely positioned to lead,” said Governor Gordon. “But we will do it the Wyoming way. We welcome investment, jobs, and economic opportunity while protecting our communities, our natural resources, and our citizens from unintended costs.”
Under the framework, state agencies will evaluate projects based on factors including water use, wildlife impacts, grid reliability, workforce development, community engagement, and national security considerations. The order also reiterates that developers will be expected to cover the costs associated with the large power demands of their facilities.
This new policy is one of many being introduced by various state governments. For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 bill into state law aimed at regulating large-scale data center development, including how costs are allocated, how projects are approved at the local level, and how environmental impacts are managed.
On the national front U.S President Donald Trump recently issued an Executive Order titled ‘Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security’ that outlines how the U.S. federal government should approach AI, reduced regulation, closer work with industry, and expanded cybersecurity defences across federal systems.
Meanwhile, some others are advocating a more tempered approach, using local legislative methods to put in place checks and balances necessary for responsible and sustainable development of digital infrastructure.
In February this year, the Eagan City Council reportedly approved a one-year moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency operations, the first such pause in Minnesota. The council cited the need for a deeper understanding of the environmental, economic, and community impacts of these projects before allowing further development.
In March, Zeke Cohen, President of Baltimore City Council, introduced legislation that would impose a one-year moratorium on facilities using 10 MWs or more, effectively banning new data centers citywide during that period.
US Senator Bernie Sanders (Senator Vermont.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat N.Y.) introduced legislation seeking restrictions on new AI data center construction in the U.S. through the proposed Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act of 2026 .