Gov. Mark Gordon says that while there has been a lot of concern about data centers using water “and rightfully so,” southeast Wyoming data centers are making adjustments to address water consumption concerns.

The governor told Wake Up Wyoming host Glenn Woods on Wednesday that ”Related Digital, for example, their new data center, is only going to have six bathrooms of consumptive use.”

Related Digital, on a project website for the Cheyenne Facility, says “Our design uses high-efficiency air cooling technology instead of high-water-use evaporative cooling systems.”

The governor goes on to say that Microsoft ‘has just redesigned some of their work, they are going to yield up 566 million gallons of water from just better design, and not using water consumptively, air cooling. We’re up high so our cooling needs are less.”

Microsoft recently announced plans for a 3.200 acre expansion of it’s operations in Cheyenne. On the website for the Cheyenne expansion project, the company says “Microsoft will minimize its water use and replenish more water than what is used.” The article goes on to say it’s Wyoming operations use direct evaporative cooling, adding “This design uses water for cooling less than 10% of the year, with the latest datacenter designs going even further, in some cases eliminating the need for ongoing access to water for cooling after an initial fill.”

What About Electricity?

The governor says in regard to electricity, companies like Microsoft and Related Digital and others have entered into a Large Power Contract Service tariff agreement with Black Hills Energy ‘so they are paying for everything to do with the upgrades, the service and so on. The demand… isn’t going to change in terms of what it is going to do to price.”

Gordon says the state is working with Black Hills Energy “so that rate payers are not affected.”

Hear Glenn Woods’ Interview With Gov. Gordon here

Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails has officially released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional appraisal services to evaluate concession facilities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

 These appraisals are mandated by 2026 Senate Enrolled Act 27, Section 335, which requires appraisals of the “capital investment” and “ongoing concern” for the businesses known as the Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa. 

 Qualified professional appraisers are encouraged to review the full requirements.  Proposals must be submitted through the State’s Public Purchase online bidding system by 2:00 p.m., May 18, 2026. To view the full RFP (Number 0270-M), please visit https://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/wyominggsd,wy/buyer/public/home. 

 For additional information, contact Wyoming State Parks’ Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Dillmon at (307) 777-5734 or by email at Stephanie.Dillmon2@wyo.gov or learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov. 

When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.

For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.

Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.

The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.

In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.

These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.

In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.

The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.

In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline. 

To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.

Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX

Required Federal Funding statement:
This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.

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