Prometheus Hyperscale is no longer pursuing its 1,250-megawatt artificial intelligence computing complex east of Casper, developers announced Wednesday.

“After spending a great deal of time evaluating the opportunity we have decided to not pursue a data center project in Natrona or Converse Counties,” Prometheus Hyperscale President Trevor Neilson told WyoFile via email Wednesday morning.

The decision comes amid growing questions and outright opposition to data center development in Wyoming and nationally. The myriad proposals around Wyoming became a campaign issue this election season, with candidates such as Republican House nominee Chuck Gray making their opposition to data centers a key part of their message to voters.

A view from Hat Six Road east of Casper, a region where a developer proposed to build a data center complex. (Dustin Bleizeffer/WyoFile)

Neilson didn’t explain what led to the decision, but indicated the company is still pursuing its data center and energy complex in southwestern Wyoming.

“We are thrilled with our progress in Evanston with Uinta County and believe other additional locations in Wyoming offer a clearer path to permitting and community support.”

The company originally proposed the $500 million project to potentially straddle both Natrona and Converse counties, but reconfigured plans to site the entire project in rural Natrona County east of Casper. Prometheus founder Trenton Thornock appeared before Natrona County commissioners in September, kicking off initial discussions to potentially bypass state-level industrial permitting to tailor the project to Natrona County parameters.

This is a breaking news story and may be updated.

Dustin Bleizeffer covers energy and climate at WyoFile. He has worked as a coal miner, an oilfield mechanic, and for more than 25 years as a statewide reporter and editor primarily covering the energy...

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