AGP Executive Report

Federal Permitting Pushback: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon are teaming up in Salt Lake City to attack slow, expensive federal reviews for energy and mining—calling the system “archaic” and saying the Permitting Council has gone from finishing just one mining permit under Biden to 57 now, with only 16 cleared so far. AI Infrastructure Backlash: A new Deseret News–Hinckley Institute poll finds Utah voters sour on Box Elder’s proposed Stratos AI data center, with 53% opposing it as water, energy, and local-control concerns turn the project into a political flashpoint. Nuclear Scaling Debate: At Canaccord’s Nuclear Nexus conference, investors and developers argued the grid and fuel supply chain are the real bottlenecks for fission and fusion—while TerraPower’s Natrium Kemmer Unit 1 update keeps Wyoming’s advanced-nuclear momentum in view. Airport Security Overhaul: TSA Gold+ would expand private screening at more airports, potentially using new tech to cut waits—while critics worry about what changes when contractors run more of the process. Wyoming Land Fight: Rep. Harriet Hageman is pushing to block any future “roadless areas” rollback after overwhelming public opposition to undoing the Roadless Rule.

Nuclear Materials Deregulation: A new U.S. Senate bill led by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) would let commercial-grade steel and concrete be used in non-safety parts of nuclear plants, aiming to cut costs and speed builds—supporters say it won’t weaken safety, while critics warn it could. Airport Security Overhaul: TSA Gold+ would expand private screening at more airports, with contractors potentially running more of the equipment and TSA keeping oversight, as the agency pitches it as a fix for staffing shortages and a way to add new tech. Border Biosecurity: USDA says southern ports of entry stay closed to livestock imports after screwworm detections within 60 miles of the U.S./Mexico border, with sterile insect releases continuing. Wildlife & Water Pressure: Advocates sue over pygmy rabbit protections as sagebrush habitat shrinks; a new Drought Monitor map shows “extreme” to “exceptional” drought stretching into parts of Wyoming and the broader West. Mountain West Quantum Push: A new NSF-backed report says Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico are well positioned to commercialize quantum sensing.

Crypto Banking Push: Trump signed a new executive order directing federal regulators and the Fed to review how crypto and fintech firms can get direct access to payment accounts and services—potentially changing the rules for Wyoming’s crypto-focused special purpose banks. Airport Security Overhaul: TSA is rolling out “TSA Gold+,” expanding private screening at more airports and pitching AI-enabled capacity gains to cut lines. Rural Healthcare Funding: CMS gave final approval for Wyoming’s $205M Rural Health Transformation Program, aimed at shoring up hospitals, clinics, and workforce training across remote communities. Schools & Pay: Teton County trustees approved a 2026-27 compensation package with nearly $20K higher starting pay for new teachers, alongside higher health insurance costs. Wildlife Watch: A new Wyoming wolf count hit historic lows, with canine distemper flagged as a likely driver. Local Tech Politics: An AI bot-backed slate is seeking Cheyenne City Council and U.S. Senate seats, betting voters will accept “meat avatar” candidates.

Rural Healthcare Funding: CMS has given final approval to Wyoming’s $205M Year 1 plan to strengthen rural hospitals and clinics, with more money expected through 2030 under the Rural Health Transformation Fund. Predator Policy: Wyoming is also spending more on predator control as demand and costs keep climbing, even as wolf numbers hit their lowest level since 2005—linked to canine distemper. Crypto-Fintech Push: The Trump administration signed an executive order directing the Fed to review whether crypto and fintech firms can get direct access to payment infrastructure, potentially reshaping how non-bank companies plug into the financial system. AI + Construction Pressure: A new report says the “top 400” contractors are seeing revenue jump on the AI/data center buildout—while the skilled labor crunch is getting sharper. Tech in Wyoming: OHO Sunshine launched new AI smart-glasses products, and the University of Wyoming used electric caddies to win a national women’s golf event. Science Notes: A new study offers a fresh explanation for T. rex’s tiny arms.

University & Media Wins: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network swept National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland awards again, taking top honors for a live sports broadcast featuring FHSU men’s basketball, plus wins for talent and long-form non-fiction. Wyoming Sports Tech Moment: The University of Wyoming used Motocaddy electric caddies to win the Golfweek Women’s National Golf Invitational—an NCAA first for electric caddy use at the event. Local Growth & Community: Grow Casper Urban Farm is expanding with more volunteer work, fencing after deer damage, and plans for new features like an apiary and additional greenhouses. Politics & Energy: Natrona County IT Director Cameron Savage announced a run for County Commissioner, pitching a “tech and energy friendly” county and backing a mix of coal/oil with renewables and nuclear. Crypto Policy Shakeup: Trump ordered the Fed to review whether fintech/crypto firms can get direct access to Fed payment infrastructure via “master accounts,” reigniting banking pushback. Autonomous Logistics: Parallel Systems says it’s testing autonomous freight trains in Georgia with Genesee & Wyoming under federal oversight. Animal Welfare: After USDA action and PETA scrutiny, a Fort Collins animal testing facility shut down and dozens of dogs and cats are being rehabilitated at a Wyoming sanctuary. Drought Pressure: A May 27 virtual panel will help ranchers make tough drought decisions, with UW extension leadership set to answer questions. Predator Control Funding: Fremont County is seeking more predator-killing funding as costs and demand keep rising. School Choice Legal Update: Wyoming Supreme Court lifted a block on the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act, clearing the way for the education savings account program to move forward. Cheyenne Data Center Debate: Cheyenne’s Public Services Committee heard hours of public comment on a proposed 12-month pause on new data center construction.

Data Center Heat Debate Hits Utah: Scientists warn Kevin O’Leary’s proposed Stratos hyperscale project in Box Elder County could flip parts of Utah’s climate toward “Sahara-like” conditions by dumping massive waste heat into a single valley, with concerns also tied to the Great Salt Lake’s already-stressed ecosystem. Wyoming Data Center Pause: In Cheyenne, public comment ran for hours as residents argued over a proposed 12-month pause on new data center construction—supporters want breathing room on water, power, noise, and transparency; opponents say the city is being left vulnerable to boom-bust cycles. Connectivity Push Across the Region: DCN, Range and WIN Technology announced the $700M, 2,000-mile Heartland Fiber Project to expand high-capacity routes from Denver to Chicago across seven states including Wyoming. Roads and Budgets: A national report puts potholes in the “money problem” spotlight, pointing to deferred maintenance and gas-tax shortfalls. Local Tech Wins: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network took top honors in live sports production at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter.

Data Center Debate in Cheyenne: Cheyenne’s Public Services Committee kept the pressure on a proposed 12-month pause on new data center construction, with residents packing the room for two hours of pro and con public comment and utilities/major tech firms showing up to dispute claims about rates, water, and safeguards. AI + Infrastructure Push: In the background, the region’s fiber buildout is accelerating—DCN, Range, and WIN Technology are teaming up on the $700M Heartland Fiber Project to expand a 2,000-mile backbone across Wyoming and neighboring states. Wyoming Tech & Business Wins: LiqTech says it landed its biggest QlariFlow™ pool project yet—five filtration systems in Den Helder, Netherlands—highlighting how Wyoming-linked clean-tech keeps scaling. Workforce & Education: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network took top honors in a national TV production competition, while Wyoming’s gaming regulators are also looking at how the industry is evolving. Climate Pressure: Utah’s proposed hyperscale data center is drawing fresh backlash over potential heat and Great Salt Lake impacts, and a new study flags more fire-weather days across the Mountain West.

AI & Power Buildout: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas are moving forward on Wyoming’s Cheyenne Power Hub, delivering the first 1,150MW of site-ready generation to support AI and hyperscale data centers—aimed at reducing strain on the grid. Broadband Backbone: DCN, Range, and WIN Technology just announced the $700M Heartland Fiber Project, a 2,000-mile expansion across seven states including Wyoming, built for high-capacity AI traffic between Denver and Chicago. Nuclear Policy: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and allies introduced the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act, pushing the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel in non-safety parts of plants to cut costs and keep more work local. Climate & Tech Backlash: Utah’s proposed Stratos hyperscale data center is drawing sharp scientific warnings about massive heat and Great Salt Lake impacts, after county approval without public comment. STEM on the Ground: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network won national Emmy-level student production awards for live sports coverage, with Wyoming-area participation.

AI Power Push in Wyoming: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas say they’ve started delivering turbines for the Cheyenne Power Hub—about 1,150MW of dedicated site-ready power aimed at easing pressure on the grid as AI and hyperscale data centers expand. Fiber Buildout: DCN, Range, and WIN Technology launched the $700M Heartland Fiber Project, a 2,000-mile, seven-state route (including Wyoming) built to move the data fast and keep networks resilient. Wildlife Planning: New Wyoming-led research finds rural housing can block big-game migration, with animals needing up to a mile or more of space between homes and key routes. Data Center Backlash Elsewhere: Utah’s proposed Stratos hyperscale project is drawing climate and Great Salt Lake alarms after scientists warned its heat could reshape local conditions. Campus Wins: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network took top regional honors for a live men’s basketball broadcast in the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter awards.

Wyoming AI infrastructure push: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas say they’ve delivered the first two turbines for the Cheyenne Power Hub, aiming to supply about 1,150 MW of dedicated power for a large data center—framing it as less strain on the grid and more local jobs. Data-center climate backlash: Utah’s proposed Stratos hyperscale project is drawing fresh scientific fire over waste heat claims, with critics saying it could shift local conditions and harm the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Nuclear tech momentum: TerraPower (Bill Gates-backed) is buying Korean sodium-cooled fast reactor safety testing know-how, and the company is already building in Wyoming. Local education wins: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network took top regional honors for live sports production, while UW graduation coverage highlights students weighing AI-era career changes. Wildlife watch: Chronic wasting disease was confirmed on the National Elk Refuge, triggering tighter monitoring and biosecurity.

Nuclear & Energy: TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, says it has secured Korean sodium-cooled fast reactor safety testing know-how—an upgrade that matters for its Natrium work in Wyoming. Water Crunch: A new federal Colorado River plan would cut state allocations by 40%, with California, Arizona, and Nevada bracing for major impacts on farms and communities. Wyoming Power for AI: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas delivered turbines for the Cheyenne Power Hub, aiming to supply dedicated power for a major data center—while trying to avoid grid strain. Broadband Buildout: Nebraska’s first BEAD-funded “household” connection highlights how fixed wireless is speeding rural rollout, and Wyoming is in the mix for more projects. Local STEM: Physics Day at Lagoon drew thousands of students from Wyoming and neighbors to learn science by doing it—measuring ride forces and building models. Wildlife Watch: Chronic wasting disease was confirmed on the National Elk Refuge, pushing renewed monitoring and biosecurity.

AI Data Center Push Meets Backlash: Wyoming’s lawmakers and big tech are courting the next wave of AI infrastructure, but the pitch is getting louder scrutiny elsewhere—Utah scientists warn a proposed 9-gigawatt Stratos data center could radically heat and dry local conditions, with approvals reportedly moving fast and without public comment. Fiber Buildout: Still, the connectivity race is moving—DCN, Range, and WIN Technology just announced the Heartland Fiber Project, adding about 2,000 miles of fiber linking Denver to Chicago across Wyoming and the region. Local Governance & Jobs: In Cheyenne, Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power say turbine deliveries for the Cheyenne Power Hub are underway, aiming to supply dedicated power for a major data center. Animal Health Watch: USDA scrutiny continues for a Fort Collins animal lab after a federal inspection flagged gaps in veterinary care and records. Wyoming Education Spotlight: UW kinesiology and health students earned national honors, while Laramie County’s 2026 Outstanding Graduates were named.

Aurora Watch: NOAA is forecasting a G1 geomagnetic storm, with northern lights potentially visible Saturday night into Sunday—best chances in the northern U.S. and Canada, and Wyoming could see more if activity bumps up. Wyoming Energy & Data Centers: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas say the first two gas turbines are headed to the Cheyenne Power Hub, aiming to deliver 1,150 MW of site-ready power for a major data center—positioned to reduce strain on the grid. Wildlife & Public Lands: Chronic wasting disease was confirmed on the National Elk Refuge, triggering renewed scrutiny of herd management and long-running local practices. Wildfire Insurance: A new “Wildfire Prepared Home” program is expanding in Wyoming, pushing home hardening steps that can help homeowners qualify for coverage. Local Government: Sweetwater County’s Chief Deputy Coroner Travis Sanders says he’ll run for coroner after Dale Majhanovich announced he won’t seek re-election. Tech & Education: UW kinesiology students earned national AKA awards, including a Graduate Student Writing honor for Cole Nelson.

Wyoming Gaming Watch: Wyoming lawmakers kicked off interim talks on the state’s fast-growing gambling industry, drilling into where wagering money goes and how “Queen of Hearts” charitable games should be handled. Local Wildlife Policy: Wyoming wildlife managers plan to cut the wolf hunting cap in half after a canine distemper outbreak pushed wolf numbers to their lowest in two decades. Broadband Buildout: A new Heartland Fiber Project aims to extend high-capacity fiber across seven Upper Midwest states, including Wyoming, to support growth between Denver and Chicago. Tech & Research: The University of Wyoming and the Wyoming SBDC Network will host a two-day SBIR/STTR proposal lab to help startups chase federal R&D funding. Education & Community: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network won national TV production awards, while PlayLab is set to open in Dickinson’s Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center. Science Spotlight: A new study reports “brain-eating amoeba” in multiple national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Wyoming Wolf Policy: Wyoming wildlife managers will cut the wolf hunt quota in half after canine distemper drove the population to its lowest level in two decades, setting a 22-wolf cap for the Greater Yellowstone area—down from 44 last season. Education & Training: Sheridan College just landed a new Saskatchewan bronc rider, while Wyoming’s own student pipeline keeps moving—Newcastle seniors earned associate degrees early through Eastern Wyoming College’s dual-enrollment program. Tech & Infrastructure: A NAVFAC Northwest contract worth $249M will fund marine waterfront design work across the region, including Wyoming. Health Policy Watch: More GOP states are pushing Medicaid reporting to immigration enforcement via public health agencies, and Wyoming is already among those with similar laws. Climate & Risk: Utah’s proposed 9-gigawatt Stratos data center is drawing fresh scientific backlash over heat and Great Salt Lake impacts. Local Governance: Wyoming Valley West School District approved a preliminary budget with a proposed 5.1% property tax hike.

Data Center Heat Fight: Scientists warn Utah’s proposed Stratos 9‑gigawatt data center could spike local temperatures and push the region toward “Sahara-like” conditions, with critics pointing to approval without public comment or environmental review. Highway Safety Push: Trucking groups back Rep. Harriet Hageman’s SAFE Act targeting “chameleon carriers” that allegedly dodge accountability by renaming and restarting after violations. Wyoming Energy Watch: Premier American Uranium begins ~100,000 feet of 2026 exploration drilling at its Kaycee project in the Powder River Basin. Rural Health Pressure: Federal Medicaid cuts are raising alarms that Wyoming rural hospitals could face closures, with critics saying transformation funds skew toward tech over operations. Courts & Access: Wyoming lawmakers move toward anti-frivolous lawsuit rules while keeping an eye on opening court records. Public Health & Science: A “brain-eating amoeba” shows up in samples from major national parks, though Oregon tests came back negative. Local Tech/Media Win: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network takes top honors again for a live sports broadcast.