Dear editor:

In a recent editorial Gov. Mark Gordon poo poos public concerns about data centers and cites the old “Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way” quote. However, he would be wise to “Stop, Look and Listen” to the concerns of Wyoming citizens. Governor Gordon talks about lost economic opportunities and data centers but fails to acknowledge the real impacts and concerns facing citizens in Wyoming and across the country.

Gov. Gordon fails to address the fact that hyperscale data centers are a subtractive industry, adding very few real long term jobs while using a tremendous amount of resources. They are not necessary for current AI use like Siri, Google Lens, medical information transfer, emergency services, or any of the services we use every day. Hyperscale data centers are for surveillance, crypto-mining, and increasing mega corporation profits by reducing the human workforce.

They are not a cost-effective industry until AI can eliminate about 40% of the workforce — the ultimate goal some of AI’s founders tout.

Citizens in Wyoming are concerned about the tax breaks, the noise, the increased fire risks, the water pollution, the air pollution, increased power demands, rising electricity costs, the impacts on our wide open spaces and wildlife, the replacement of technology every 3-5 years, the man camps during construction and all the problems those bring. We are concerned about the use of eminent domain for infrastructure like power lines, and need an answer to the question, “What do we do in 25 years?” prompted by the life expectancy of hyperscale data centers. And those are only a few of the issues. What’s wrong with Stopping, Looking and Listening to citizens and experts to address these concerns and come up with a better plan?

Gov. Gordon wrote 818 words but failed to address a single issue. The only point he made was to use our energy here. Once again, it looks like Wyoming is just a colony for more out of state corporations, as they exploit our resources while the money goes to faraway billionaires and their corporations.

So please tell us, Gov. Gordon, what are the details, and what is the total amount of revenue lost to Wyoming from the tax breaks these multi-billion dollar corporations have received? Give us the details. And tell us what protections we have in place that will prevent citizens from paying increased electrical costs, and prevent citizens from paying for water cleanup and new infrastructure? What protections are in place to protect our legacy as a state of wide open spaces and valuable wildlife?

Governor, you failed to lead on this issue because you have catered to the tech billionaires. Now is the time for you to follow your relative’s advice and get out of the way.

The citizens of Wyoming are leading to ensure their concerns about data centers are addressed and not swept under the rug by politicians like you.

Andrea Knutson

Sheridan