AGP Executive Report

Quantum Research: University of Wyoming physicist Yu-Tsung Tsai won a $993,674 federal grant to study materials that could advance quantum computing and sensing. The four-year project with Los Alamos National Laboratory is set to begin in 2027. Data Center Power: Black Hills plans 564 megawatts of new gas generation and a 2.1-gigawatt microgrid for Google’s Wyoming data center, part of a major investment to supply the facility’s power. Wildfire Response: Wyoming launched a Casper aviation helibase to help accelerate wildfire response.

AI in Education: UW President Shane Reeves will host BoodleBox founder France Hoang on Oct. 16 for a campus conversation about using AI securely and fairly in learning. Quantum Research: UW physicist Yu-Tsung Tsai received a nearly $994,000 federal grant to study ultrathin materials that could advance quantum computing and sensing, with Los Alamos National Laboratory joining the project in 2027. Cheyenne Data Center: Black Hills plans $1.8 billion in infrastructure investment to serve Google’s data center, including 564 megawatts of new gas generation and a 2.1-gigawatt microgrid.

Quantum Research: A University of Wyoming physics professor received a $993,674 federal grant to study ultra-thin materials that could advance quantum computing and sensing. The four-year project, with Los Alamos National Laboratory, is set to begin in 2027. AI on Campus: UW President Shane Reeves will host a public conversation Oct. 16 with BoodleBox founder and CEO France Hoang, whose company works with the university on AI tools for education. Data Center Power: Black Hills plans a $1.8 billion investment to supply Google’s Cheyenne data center, including 564 megawatts of new gas generation and a large microgrid. Food Access Technology: Rock Springs is the first Wyoming community to install emergency food lockers. Eligible clients can use a secure code to pick up food at any hour.

Quantum Research: UW physics professor Yu-Tsung Tsai won nearly $994,000 in federal funding to study ultra-thin materials that could support future quantum computing and sensing. The four-year project partners with Los Alamos National Laboratory. AI Infrastructure: Black Hills plans to invest $1.8 billion to power Google’s Cheyenne data center, including 564 megawatts of new gas generation and management of a 2.1-gigawatt microgrid. The buildout underscores the pressure AI facilities can put on local power systems. Materials Science: A UW professor is leading research into advanced membranes for more efficient separations, adding to the university’s work on technologies with potential industrial applications.

Quantum Research: UW physics professor Yu-Tsung Tsai won a $993,674 federal grant to study ultrathin materials that could advance quantum computing and sensing. The four-year project, starting in 2027 with Los Alamos National Laboratory, will test how the materials behave in extreme conditions. Cheyenne Data Center: Black Hills plans $1.8 billion in new power resources for Google’s planned facility, including 564 megawatts of natural-gas generation and a privately managed microgrid drawing on 2.1 gigawatts of third-party resources. Rural Workforce: UW’s WORTH Institute received a $2.5 million federal grant to build career pathways in rural communities. Research and Security: A UW professor is leading a study on advanced membranes for more efficient separations, while Cyber Cheyenne brings a digital-security summit to Laramie County Community College on Oct. 16.

AI Power Buildout: Black Hills plans to invest $1.8 billion in 564 megawatts of new gas generation near Cheyenne and manage 2.1 gigawatts of other power resources for Google’s planned data center, highlighting the grid demands of AI growth. Western Water Science: A new study finds droughts and wet periods often coincide across major Western watersheds, complicating water managers’ options during dry spells. Science in Wyoming Schools: A retired teacher is bringing hands-on lessons about organ donation and transplantation to Wyoming students in grades 6–12. UW Research: A University of Wyoming professor is leading research on advanced membranes designed to make separations more efficient.

Workforce Pathways: UW’s WORTH Institute won a $2.5 million federal grant to build rural career routes in tourism and outdoor recreation, aiming to serve 2,000 Wyoming learners through credentials, internships and apprenticeships. Water Research: A new study finds major Western watersheds often experience drought together, including the Great Basin and neighboring regions—an added challenge for water managers. Data Center Power: Black Hills Energy plans to invest $1.8 billion to supply Google’s Cheyenne data center, as Wyoming communities weigh the costs and infrastructure needs of large-scale computing. Wyoming Fossils: Researchers identified a new, unusually stout belemnite species from two fossils found in Wyoming. The squid relative lived about 160 million years ago.

Wyoming Fintech: Wyoming-based Payward, Kraken’s parent company, is in talks to provide Wells Fargo with cryptocurrency trading liquidity; a deal is not assured. Data Center Debate: A report says the Lost Cabin facility is the first phase of a much larger project, with investment discussed at $66 billion. Cheyenne commissioners postponed proposed rules for data centers and power plants while seeking more information on water, noise and project size. Power and Infrastructure: Black Hills plans to invest $1.8 billion to supply electricity to Google’s Cheyenne data center, while a Montana-Wyoming transmission corridor is set to use advanced grid technologies. Research and Cybersecurity: A University of Wyoming professor is leading research on advanced membranes for more efficient separations. Cyber Cheyenne’s digital security summit is scheduled at LCCC on Oct. 16.

Data Center Boom: A facility under construction near Lost Cabin is described by county officials as the first phase of a planned $66 billion project, raising questions about local oversight as Fremont County weighs zoning rules. In Cheyenne, planners delayed proposed rules for data centers and power plants while seeking more analysis of water, noise and facility size. Energy Costs: A think tank estimates Wyoming households could pay about $9,000 more for energy cumulatively through 2040 because of federal policy changes, driven in part by higher demand for gas and gasoline. Digital Finance: Wyoming-based Payward, parent of crypto exchange Kraken, is reportedly in talks to provide liquidity for Wells Fargo crypto trades; neither company confirmed a deal. Power Grid: A federally funded project will test advanced controls and line-rating technology to increase electricity transfers between Montana and Wyoming using existing transmission lines. Critical Minerals: A University of Utah-led team received federal funding to search Rocky Mountain coal seams, mining waste and wastewater for minerals used in electronics, clean energy and defense.

Data Center Boom: A facility under construction near Lost Cabin is described as the first phase of a planned $66 billion project. Fremont County officials say limited zoning rules leave them with little control as questions grow over power, water and local impacts. Energy for AI: Black Hills plans $1.8 billion in new natural-gas generation for Google’s Cheyenne data center, with the company expected to cover project costs and power delivery slated to begin in 2027. Wyoming Minerals: Drilling at the Kaycee uranium project has found mineralization in six of eight holes; a separate Washakie County critical-minerals project has approval for a 10,500-foot drill program. Cybersecurity: Cyber Cheyenne returns to Laramie County Community College on Oct. 16, bringing cybersecurity, AI and workforce discussions to students and industry leaders.

AI & Nuclear Regulation: Korea’s SMR plans face a regulatory wall, with safety review standards not expected until 2032 even as developers aim to seek permits starting 2027. Wyoming Data Centers & Power: Black Hills signed power deals with Google for a Cheyenne data center, backing it with 564 MW of new natural gas generation (Google covers costs). Local Impacts & Governance: Fremont County is grappling with how little zoning control it has as a Lost Cabin data center project scales up from a “prototype” to a reported $66 billion plan. Tribal Pushback: The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes approved a three-year ban on data centers on tribal lands, adding to growing Native-led opposition nationwide. Cybersecurity in Wyoming: Cyber Cheyenne 2026 returns Oct. 16 at LCCC, focusing on practical security habits and AI-ready workforce development. Tech Cooling for Chips: HF Sinclair launched a direct-to-chip cooling fluid aligned with Open Compute Project specs, targeting faster, more efficient data center hardware. STEM & Education: Central Wyoming College announced presidential finalists and community sessions in Riverton, Lander, and Jackson.

Wyoming Tech & Industry: HF Sinclair’s Innovate brand rolled out a new propylene glycol direct-to-chip cooling fluid (Innovate DTC25), built to match Open Compute Project PG25 guidance and designed for corrosion protection, freeze resistance, and easier commissioning. Public Safety Tech: Cheyenne police closed a multi-incident package theft case using doorbell footage shared online and Flock Safety automatic license plate reader tech, showing how local digital tools and community tips can speed up arrests. Cybersecurity in the Cowboy State: Cyber Cheyenne 2026 is set for Oct. 16, bringing regional experts together to focus on AI-driven threats and protecting critical infrastructure. Wildlife Research: In Shirley Basin, Wyoming Game and Fish reports black-footed ferrets are doing well, with dispersal confirmed during recent field work. Health & Data Integrity: Bacteriostatic Water Store published independent lab testing data for a specific 10ml batch, adding measured composition details for buyers and researchers. STEM Outreach: The Wyoming Air National Guard’s Discovery Day 2026 will feature drones, VR, robotics, AI, and programming for students in Cheyenne. Energy Costs: A think tank modeling says federal policy changes could push Wyoming household energy bills higher through 2040.

Cybersecurity & AI: Cheyenne hosts “Cyber Cheyenne 2026,” a one-day summit on Oct. 16 focused on protecting digital systems, including AI-driven automation and critical infrastructure. Tribal Tech & Water: Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizens vote for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands, citing water use, environmental impacts, and transparency concerns. Public Safety Tech: Cheyenne police close a multi-incident package theft case using doorbell footage plus Flock Safety automatic license plate reader tech, turning community tips into an arrest. Wildlife Research: Wyoming Game and Fish asks hunters to avoid collared animals this fall; if harvested, collars should be removed carefully and reported. Environment Research: A study finds spring runoff can mobilize microplastics in Western rivers, boosting counts compared with low-flow periods. STEM Outreach: Wyoming Air National Guard’s “Discovery Day 2026” brings drones, VR, robotics, AI, and aviation demos to Cheyenne students. Healthcare Workforce: Medical assistants get a spotlight for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps care running smoothly.

Cyber Cheyenne Summit: Cybersecurity pros from Northern Colorado and Wyoming will meet in Cheyenne Oct. 16 for “Protecting the Digital Frontier,” with sessions on AI threats, critical infrastructure, and connected systems. Tribal Tech & Power: Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizens voted for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands, citing water use, environmental impacts, and transparency. Energy Costs in Wyoming: A nonpartisan think tank projects Wyoming households could pay about $9,000 more for energy through 2040 as federal policy shifts boost demand for natural gas and gasoline. AI + Robotics Deal (Wyoming link): AIBotics agreed to acquire Empulser, a Wyoming company founded by Patrick Tsang, aiming to scale wireless power and AI-enabled autonomous systems for defense and commercial work. Wyoming Education Tech: Sweetwater County School District No. 1 won a $15,000 CTE Cutting Edge Grant to build a high school unmanned aircraft systems engineering pathway. Health & Monitoring: A national study found Wyoming clinicians had the highest rate of unchecked cholesterol for statin patients (32%), raising concerns about follow-up care. Wildfire Water Impacts: New research finds wildfire burn area is rising in Western watersheds that supply large populations, threatening water quality and infrastructure.

Health & Care: A new national study using primary-care visit data finds Wyoming clinicians are among the least likely to regularly check cholesterol for patients on statins, with Wyoming at a 32% “unchecked” rate versus a 17% national average—raising concerns that treatment goals and medication adherence may be missed. Education & Tech: Sweetwater County School District No. 1 won a $15,000 Wyoming Department of Education CTE Cutting Edge Grant to build a high school unmanned aircraft systems pathway, teaching students to assemble, configure, test, troubleshoot, and document drones. AI & Culture: Restaurants are increasingly using AI-generated food images for menus, but the trend is getting pushback online for producing warped, unsettling results. Energy & Policy: A nonpartisan think tank projects federal energy policy shifts could add about $6,500 to average household energy costs through 2040, with Wyoming among the states facing roughly $9,000 more. Tribal Governance: Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizens voted for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands, citing water, environmental, economic, and transparency concerns. Wyoming Leadership in Research: University of Wyoming professor Tristan Wallhead was elected president of an international sport pedagogy and physical education organization.

Nuclear Momentum: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission greenlit a Tennessee Valley Authority small modular reactor permit, adding to Wyoming’s own nuclear buildout momentum after a March approval for a Wyoming project. AI Power & Energy Costs: New modeling warns federal energy policy shifts could drive steep household energy spending and health costs nationwide through 2040, feeding the affordability debate. Wyoming Tech Policy: A Wyoming legislative draft would tightly restrict Flock-like automatic license plate readers to narrow traffic uses, limit what data can be captured, and require deletion rules. Cheyenne Data Center Fight: Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizens voted for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands, citing water, environmental, and transparency concerns. Wildfire Science: A new look at how hotter, faster wildfires are pushing fire-adapted forests past recovery points—relevant to Wyoming’s fire-risk future. Local STEM & Training: A Wyoming school internship program is giving students hands-on IT support experience ahead of the next school year. Public Health Access: ACA marketplace enrollment fell as premiums rose, with Wyoming seeing a sharp drop in new plan selections.