Wyoming targets AI data centers as Bitcoin mining power race grows

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed Executive Order 2026-03 to guide data center and advanced computing development across the state. The order is titled “Data Centers the Wyoming Way.”

The order applies to state agencies that permit, review, regulate, support or help large data center projects in Wyoming. It asks agencies to support growth while checking water use, environmental needs, workforce planning and power costs for homes.

“As America races to build the infrastructure needed to support advanced computing, artificial intelligence and our nation’s rapidly growing digital economy, Wyoming is uniquely positioned to lead,” Gordon said.

Power demand becomes the main issue

The order comes as AI data centers increase pressure on U.S. power systems. Bloomberg reported that Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are expected to spend about $650 billion on AI and data center infrastructure in 2026.

That spending is aimed at cloud services, model training and the computing systems needed to run large AI tools. Wyoming wants part of that investment, but its order shows the state also wants rules around power and water use.

The White House also moved this week on AI policy. President Donald Trump signed a June 2 executive order focused on advanced AI innovation, cybersecurity and national security review.

Bitcoin mining link grows stronger

Wyoming’s AI data center push also connects to Bitcoin mining. The state has already attracted mining firms because of its energy resources, open land and friendly digital asset policy.

CleanSpark announced in 2024 that it had executed 75 MW of power contracts and completed the acquisition of its first Bitcoin mining site in Wyoming. As previously reported by crypto.news, the miner secured the site despite earlier national security concerns linked to a separate Wyoming location.

The company said its first Wyoming site had 30 MW of capacity and was expected to add more than 2 EH/s to hashrate once running. It also said a second site would add 45 MW and about 3 EH/s.

Miners seek AI and HPC revenue

Bitcoin miners have looked beyond mining after the 2024 halving reduced block rewards. Several firms now market their power access and sites for AI, high-performance computing and data center hosting.

IREN, MARA Holdings, Cipher Digital, Hut 8, HIVE Digital and TeraWulf have all explored AI or HPC services. These businesses can use power contracts, cooling systems and data center sites that miners already built for Bitcoin operations.

Bernstein analysts recently initiated coverage on TeraWulf and Cipher as part of their “emerging AI infra” watchlist. The focus shows how Wall Street now tracks some Bitcoin miners as power-backed infrastructure firms, not only crypto producers.

Wyoming’s order does not name Bitcoin miners as direct targets. Still, the framework may shape how mining firms, AI companies and data center developers compete for power, land and local approvals in the state.