Wire reporting: (Reuters, via CNA)

Alphabet’s Google said Thursday it will make a $17 billion, long-term investment in its first data center in Wyoming, near Terry Ranch Road in Laramie County, according to WyoFile and a Reuters dispatch reprinted by CNA^2,5.

The company said it will pay for 100% of the power it uses and cover infrastructure needs driven by its growth^2,4. Techmeme’s cluster, citing Bloomberg, also said Google plans a Community Council to address growth concerns⁴.

WyoFile reported the first step as a 702-megawatt site using fuel cells that convert natural gas to electricity, with a plan to sequester generation emissions underground². Partners named by Google include Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power and Related Digital^2,5. CNA’s Reuters reprint said the fuel cells will be supplied by Bloom Energy⁵.

Google said the Wyoming facility will be air-cooled to reduce strain on local water². WyoFile said it was unclear at publication how soon the first building would rise or how long a $17 billion buildout would take².

The announcement landed amid broader resistance to large data centers. CNA, crediting Reuters, said all but one of 41 data-center-related ballot measures voted on this week went against data centers, according to Ballotpedia⁵. WyoFile cited a University of Wyoming poll published last week that found 30% of residents supported allowing more large AI data centers, and noted opposition from politicians including Secretary of State Chuck Gray².

Cheyenne City Councilman Larry Wolfe told WyoFile local officials had discussed the project with Google and partners for about a year and that Tallgrass had already begun some dirt work². Google said it had met more than 200 Laramie County residents before Thursday’s announcement².

Separately, neighbors of a Google data center already under construction in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, told Scioto County commissioners at a meeting held Tuesday about dust, truck traffic, lighting, noise and whether nearby homes could still sell at fair value¹. Commissioner Merit Smith said he would contact Google about residents who want purchase offers and that a tax abatement of about 50% does not start until buildings operate¹.

CNA’s Reuters reprint also noted Microsoft had declined to expand a Texas data-center agreement with Nscale, citing earlier Bloomberg reporting, and that Bloom Energy shares fell more than 14%⁵. Reuters’ own page could not be read for this filing³.