AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & AI Backlash: Alphabet and Blackstone’s “Project Braid” cloud venture is running into permit and site delays, including a scaled-down Cheyenne plan after Google lost confidence in Crusoe and faced transformer shortages. Local Governance & Surveillance: In Glenrock and nearby Rolling Hills, residents are pushing back on Flock automated license plate reader cameras, with police chief Colter Felton defending the program at a packed town council meeting. Energy & Industry Siting: The FERC scoping window opens for Wyoming’s Green River West Expansion pipeline review, with comments due Oct. 1 and a reminder that eminent domain could apply if easements fail. Agriculture & Policy: UW Extension’s John Hewlett is helping organize a Cheyenne roundtable with Federal Reserve economists on Sept. 24, focusing on Wyoming’s livestock and crop realities. Small Business Watch: NFIB’s August Small Business Optimism Index dipped to 98.7 in Wyoming, with uncertainty still elevated. Public Health & Workforce: Wyoming’s Counseling Compact is now letting out-of-state licensed counselors practice in person or via telehealth, aiming to ease mental health access. School Safety: Sweetwater County School District No. 2 approved updated e-bike rules for school grounds, including helmet use and dismounting.

Wyoming Energy & Power: Wyoming lawmakers are pushing back on the proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Project, questioning FERC’s NEPA review over potential impacts to the Seminoe-Ferris bighorn sheep herd and concerns about blasting and heavy truck traffic. Western Water: A new study warns federal Colorado River cuts for Arizona, California and Nevada would be “unprecedented,” with the sharpest hit expected in Arizona and no historical analogy for the scale. Digital Assets Policy: Sen. Cynthia Lummis is ramping up support for the CLARITY Act ahead of a Sept. 15 procedural vote, arguing it needs bipartisan backing to avoid China writing the rules for digital finance. Electric Grid Markets: Bonneville Power Administration is reconsidering joining Southwest Power Pool’s Markets+ and may instead pursue CAISO’s EDAM, weighing market-rule durability, liquidity, and reliability. Local Community: Centennial, Wyo. marks 150 years with a Sept. 12 parade, museum events, food trucks, and chainsaw carving. Food & Services: ProCare Therapy’s 2026 State of School Lunch Report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal access and reach.

Wyoming Politics & Trade: A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s national approval at 33%, while a separate tracker finds 54% of Wyoming voters approve—yet the story notes his beef-import moves and data-center pushback could be straining local support. Energy & Power Grid: A new natural gas push is challenging the Dave Johnston coal plant’s dominance in Converse County, with proposals aimed at meeting data-center-driven demand. Water & Data Centers: A Wyoming wastewater dispute tied to a Meta data-center project is part of a broader national pattern of leaks, runoff, and strain on aging water systems as data-center growth accelerates. Agriculture: Wyoming ranchers say a 90-day pause on higher ground-beef tariffs adds uncertainty after cattle values dropped, even as futures later recovered. Uranium Industry: Peninsula Energy’s Wyoming uranium ramp at Lance continues, with chemistry improvements but flow-rate constraints and a near-term decision on the next mine unit in focus. Local Infrastructure/Access: Grand Teton National Park is closing Moose-Wilson Road through Nov. 15, with Death Canyon Road closed longer, affecting fall travel plans.

Grand Teton National Park Roadwork: Moose-Wilson Road will shut to all traffic from Sept. 8 through Nov. 15, with Death Canyon Road and the Death Canyon Trailhead already closed through June 2027, reshaping fall access for Jackson-area visitors. Wyoming Energy & Finance Policy: Sen. Cynthia Lummis is pressing the Senate to pass the CLARITY Act, warning that missing this Congress could delay crypto market-structure rules until 2030—potentially affecting jobs, investment, and tax revenue. Wyoming Ranching Pressure: Ranchers say drought and rising costs are being worsened by beef import tariff changes, adding uncertainty to herd rebuilding and operating margins. Wildlife & Land Management: Wyoming’s Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor got formal state designation, a move aimed at protecting pronghorn movement across ranches, public lands, and energy development. Consumer Safety Watch: BBB Scam Tracker updates show ongoing online purchase and phishing losses nationwide, underscoring the need for tighter fraud awareness.

Bridge & Construction: West Virginia’s DOH approved a $4.82M rehab for the SPC Jason N. Marchand Memorial Bridges on US 50 in Doddridge County, with a new deck aimed at extending service life. Clean Energy Jobs: A Colorado solar industry report says renewables are driving growth on the Eastern Plains, projecting 3,594 statewide jobs over 10 years, including 961 in Eastern Plains counties. Crypto Regulation Watch: Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis says the CLARITY Act is effectively “dead” if it misses this Congress, warning the next realistic market-structure push slips to 2030; a Sept. 15 cloture vote is framed as the key hurdle. AI & Local Business: Restaurants are increasingly using AI-generated food images for menus, but diners report confusion and backlash when images don’t match real items. Water & Data Centers: A growing data-center boom is colliding with local water issues, with reports of leaks and disputes in multiple towns, including Wyoming-related concerns. Fuel Costs: GasBuddy projects Labor Day gasoline could hit $4.03 nationally, with prices staying near record levels. Wyoming Wildlife: Gov. Gordon designated segments of the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor, a move tied to protecting pronghorn movement across working lands and energy development.

Data Centers & Water: A new wave of small-town data center proposals is colliding with local water and permitting realities, including a Wyoming dispute tied to water concerns and other reported problems nationwide, as communities push for clearer rules. Local Governance: Fremont County commissioners in Wyoming are weighing whether data-center-specific zoning or other controls are needed after residents raised worries about water, noise, and development impacts. Energy Costs: Americans are bracing for record Labor Day gasoline prices, with analysts projecting the national average could top $4. Missouri River Basin: August runoff in the Missouri River system came in at 73% of average, with drought-driven shortfalls in upper reaches and storage expected to keep declining this fall. Wyoming Economy/Infrastructure: Wyoming’s Sentinel Utility Corridor update outlines a major underground communications network tied to the Sentinel missile program, with industry responses due later this month. Community & Agriculture: Powell’s Economic Partnership VISTA volunteer is running a “Loose Change for Local Change” drive to fund local foods access, agriculture education, and outdoor recreation. Public Safety/Identity: A fugitive sentenced to 81 months used a stolen identity for decades, with a Wyoming warrant tied to his failure to appear.

Energy Costs: Americans head into Labor Day with record-high gasoline prices, with GasBuddy projecting the U.S. average could hit about $4.03 a gallon on the holiday as Middle East conflict keeps pressure on fuel supplies. AI & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving ahead on a $1.4B–$2B underground communications network tied to the Sentinel ICBM program, a reminder that defense buildouts can reshape regional infrastructure planning. Wyoming Planning & Water: In drought-stressed ranch country, some producers are turning to improvised portable water tanks to keep cattle watered when traditional sources dry up. Wyoming Governance: Fremont County commissioners are weighing how much authority they should have over data centers after a small facility proposal in Lost Cabin raised concerns about water use, noise, and local oversight. Local Economy & Community: Wyoming State Parks is gearing up for National Public Lands Day with volunteer projects across the state in September.

Data Centers & Water Oversight: Fremont County commissioners are weighing whether to add data-center-specific zoning after the Lost Cabin proposal surfaced with concerns over water use, noise, and limited county authority. Local Governance & Industry Siting: Cheyenne’s City Council heard presentations from ViaWest and Skybox on a Cox Ranch data center, while residents push for responsible development and clearer rules. Energy & Wildlife Policy: A federal order kicks off a review of gray wolf and Mexican wolf protections, with potential ESA delisting or downlisting on the table. Oil & Gas / Public Lands: Wyoming residents and environmental groups are questioning a BLM lease-sale document mix-up tied to oil and gas rules and “energy dominance” priorities. Renewables Pipeline: The Industrial Siting Council approved the Laramie Range Wind Project and extended another construction schedule, as critics warn multiple large wind builds could strain housing, roads, and services. Economy & Costs: Labor Day gasoline prices are projected to hit record levels nationwide, adding pressure to household budgets and political messaging. Food & Agriculture: The Food Bank of Wyoming is calling for community help during Hunger Action Month, highlighting support for local farms.

Data Centers & Property Rights: Cheyenne city officials are facing pushback over “owner-requested” annexations tied to data center plans, with critics saying the process sidesteps rural and agricultural property expectations. Local Governance: In a Mayor’s Minute, Cheyenne also highlighted ongoing data center discussion and floated a sister-city effort with Jaguariúna, Brazil. Industrial Wind: Wyoming’s Industrial Siting Council approved the Laramie Range Wind Project after a contested-case hearing, while also extending another energy project’s construction timeline—raising questions about cumulative impacts. Energy Infrastructure: Google will hold a community open house for Project Tembo, a planned data center south of Cheyenne, with public Q&A and partner presentations. Transportation Safety: WYDOT is upgrading Teton Pass signage after multiple fatal crashes, including new “Must Stop Brake Check” and “No Parking” warnings. Agriculture & Markets: Tariff-free beef imports are expected to increase uncertainty for Wyoming cattle ranchers even as some prices ease. Wildlife Policy: A Trump order directs Interior to consider changing gray wolf protections, with Wyoming included in the states where wolves are managed by states. Water & Costs: Green River’s wastewater treatment plant is nearing final cost confirmation after a major price increase. Community & Food: The Food Bank of Wyoming is partnering with local farms through Fresh Express to get cowboy-grown produce to pantries.

Food & Farms: The Food Bank of Wyoming’s Fresh Express program is partnering with Wyoming growers like 1890 Farms in Riverton, using donor dollars to buy and repack produce such as sweet corn for pantries statewide. Energy & Federal Land Use: A U.S. District Court blocked BLM’s push to remove more than 300 privately owned bison from federal grazing leases, saying the agency’s approach didn’t fit the Taylor Grazing Act’s “livestock” definition. Cattle & Trade: Wyoming ranchers are watching tariff-free beef imports closely after a Trump decision aimed at lowering prices—researchers warn it adds “risk and uncertainty” while tight supplies keep costs elevated. Wind & Permitting: The Wyoming Industrial Siting Council approved the Laramie Range Wind permit after a year of setbacks, clearing the way for a project on private and state lands. Road Safety & Construction: WYDOT will upgrade Teton Pass WY22 signage starting Sept. 21, adding “Must Stop Brake Check” and “No Parking” markers and updating steep-grade and low-gear warnings. Transportation Costs: Diesel hit a new U.S. record around $5.85 a gallon, raising operating costs for trucking, agriculture, and construction—sectors that matter across Wyoming. Education & Workforce: LCCC is launching a new Advanced Vehicle Electronics class where students will build a road-ready electric vehicle piece by piece, with a focus on high-voltage safety.

AI & Power Infrastructure: Crusoe closed a $3B+ funding round valuing it around $30B, with a $13B cloud deal from Jane Street—after pausing a planned Cheyenne campus earlier this year at a customer’s request, underscoring how fast AI data-center growth collides with execution and power realities. Wyoming Energy/Finance: Chainlink Data Feeds went live on Tempo, giving onchain payments and stablecoin apps direct market pricing for collateral and treasury controls—another step in Wyoming-linked crypto infrastructure momentum. Local Governance & Data Centers: Laramie County commissioners approved a zone change for Vantage’s proposed 480-megawatt data center south of Cheyenne, moving land from ag to Planned Unit Development and setting up onsite power and workforce housing during construction. Wildfire & Public Safety: Wyoming’s drought is driving more frequent red flag conditions, with officials warning that dry fuels and wind can make grass and forest fires spread and damage fast. Health Care: Cheyenne OBGYN added two new physicians, including a UW-trained family medicine doctor returning to the community and a newly trained OB-GYN. Housing Costs: The 30-year mortgage rate hit 6.71%, the highest in more than a year, as bond yields climbed on deficits, inflation, and global debt pressure.

Local Environmental Policy: Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins and Pinedale Mayor Matt Murdock were named to the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee, giving Wyoming cities a direct seat at the table on rules they have to implement. Wildfire Research & Response: A new push from scientists and fire experts says the biggest threat to homes isn’t just huge fires—it’s the small, fast blazes that spread quickly in grasslands, with firefighting capacity struggling as fires accelerate. Data Center Development: Laramie County commissioners approved a zone change for Vantage Data Center’s Project Latigo south of Cheyenne, moving a 480-megawatt plan toward a campus with power and cooling infrastructure. Tax Policy for Tech: Wyoming’s Revenue Committee debated data center property tax classification, with proposals that could raise the tax rate and lawmakers choosing to refine definitions before forwarding. Food Safety: FDA issued a multistate recall for Halloween Chocolatey Eyeballs because milk wasn’t disclosed on packaging; the candy was sold in stores including TJ Maxx and Marshalls, with Wyoming listed among affected states. Energy & Industry: Western Fuels and Frontieras North America agreed to develop a mine-mouth coal processing facility at Dry Fork Mine to produce low-sulfur carbon products for industrial use. Agriculture & Ranching: Wyoming ranchers are reacting to beef import tariff changes that aim to lower ground beef prices, but cattle producers say the plan may not deliver savings and adds uncertainty. Public Lands Advocacy: Greater Yellowstone Coalition is running postcard events in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming to urge support for the Roadless Rule ahead of potential rollbacks.

Stablecoin & Finance: Wyoming’s Stable Token Commission adopted Chainlink Proof of Reserve for FRNT, moving from daily attestations to near-real-time onchain reserve verification. Healthcare Policy: Rheumatology groups warn a looming Medicaid “community engagement” exemption rule could restrict care for autoimmune patients and add burdens for clinicians. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters disclosed an unauthorized breach tied to its court case-management platform, with exposure reported across multiple U.S. jurisdictions including Wyoming. Energy & Mining: Peninsula Energy withdrew near-term uranium production guidance for its Wyoming Lance project after an operational reset, while U.S. uranium output continues climbing but still leaves the country reliant on imports. Agriculture & Livestock: Gov. Mark Gordon extended emergency permits for oversize livestock feed and livestock transport as drought and wildfire impacts strain forage. Local Economy & Industry: Natrona County residents packed meetings over a proposed 940-acre Prometheus data center, while Cheyenne and Laramie County prepare to receive nearly $2M in impact funds for the Laramie Range Wind project. Consumer Safety: Halloween chocolatey eyeballs recalled in 13 states over undeclared milk allergen.

AI Data Center Fight in Natrona: Natrona County commissioners took no action after Prometheus Hyperscale pitched a 940-acre, $500M AI data center near Casper and asked to bypass the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council via an industrial park zoning designation, with residents split over landscape impacts and jobs. Wyoming Tax Reform Turns Corner: The Joint Revenue Committee rejected a plan to repeal residential property taxes altogether, signaling waning support as lawmakers weigh how to fund schools and other services. Connected-Vehicle Push Across the West: Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming are advancing a 1,200-mile connected vehicle loop using vehicle-to-everything tech to improve backcountry and urban safety. Labor Crunch Still Bites: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City economists say worker shortages are the biggest short-term drag on growth across Colorado and nearby states, including Wyoming. Power Grid Bottlenecks: A Rock Springs councilman urged state lawmakers to speed local impact payments and address limited grid capacity that’s slowing large industrial customers like data centers. Wyoming Stable Token Oversight: Wyoming adopted Chainlink Proof of Reserve to move FRNT reserve verification closer to real time onchain as part of its stable token framework. Food Security Call: Food Bank of Wyoming highlighted Hunger Action Month, citing high food insecurity statewide and urging donations and volunteering. Nuclear Supply Chain Update: TerraPower named new supplier awards for its Natrium project in Kemmerer, extending Wyoming’s advanced nuclear build-out.

Wyoming Energy & Power Policy: The EPA’s deputy administrator David Fotouhi visited Wyoming, highlighting the Dave Johnston power plant and the agency’s push to keep reliable, affordable baseload power while meeting air requirements. Wyoming Tax & Investment: Cheyenne’s Joint Revenue Committee weighed new energy and data-center tax ideas, including a proposed solar/nuclear electricity tax and a possible shift from property tax to a 2% sales tax. Renewables on the Ground: The Industrial Siting Council approved the Laramie Range Wind Project after Laramie County commissioners previously rejected it, clearing the way for construction on private and state lands. Agriculture & Ranching: Senators John Barrasso and Roger Marshall urged USDA and Interior to expand grazing access and strengthen cattle risk-management tools as the U.S. herd hits multi-decade lows. Community Food Security: Wyoming Hunger Initiative launched Food from the Field, letting hunters donate deer, elk, moose, and antelope for processing and distribution statewide. Local Industry Spotlight: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center topped off an 11-story acute care tower, expanding emergency, trauma, behavioral health, operating rooms, and ICU capacity. National Markets Watch: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole remarks are fueling rate-hike expectations, while oil prices and the dollar move with Middle East tensions. Public Lands: Hunters and conservationists urged comments on a proposed rollback of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Manufacturing & Jobs: Colt unveiled optics-ready Commander 1911 models at an Athlon Outdoors event in Wyoming. Business Pitch: The SBA’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition heads to Washington Sept. 18 with Nicki Minaj on the judging panel.

Public Lands & State Parks: Wyoming State Parks is gearing up for National Public Lands Day with volunteer projects across September and fee waivers on Sept. 26, including weed pulls, trail work, habitat improvements, and preservation at sites like Bear River, Boysen, Buffalo Bill, and Sinks Canyon. Energy & Fuel Costs: Gas prices are staying high heading into Labor Day as crude remains elevated amid U.S.-Iran tensions; AAA reports Idaho regular averaging $4.57 and Wyoming midgrade diesel/gas prices remain volatile, with some Sheridan County diesel deals at $5.24. Tourism Pressure on Parks: Crowds at Grand Teton and Yellowstone are back near pre-pandemic highs, bringing long lines and strain on aging infrastructure, while climate change and expanded drilling pressures add to the stress. Wyoming Agriculture & Wildlife: Senators Barrasso and Marshall urge expanded grazing access and stronger risk management for cattle producers, as drought and shifting forage patterns keep pressure on ranchers. Consumer Safety: FDA-linked recalls hit Wyoming shoppers too—Crystal Temptations Halloween Chocolatey Eyeballs are recalled in 13 states for undeclared milk allergens. Local Industry & Growth: 76 FENCE launched into Colorado and Wyoming with a new Mile High operation led by Jason Smith, expanding the company’s western footprint. Fed Watch (Jackson Hole): Fed Gov. Michael Barr says rates could rise “decisively” if inflation stays hot, keeping September rate-hike expectations in play. Scam Alerts: Wyoming was tied for 126th in Michigan’s BBB Scam Tracker list for July, with one reported scam in the state’s comparison set.