The New Republic — What Happened When a Data Center and Gas Generation Moved Next Door

This social media post from The Real Windy City argues that “closed-loop” data-center cooling should not be interpreted to mean zero water use or zero waste. The post raises concerns about periodic flushing, chemical treatment, wastewater disposal, infrastructure costs and the rapid expansion of data centers around Cheyenne.

Vineland is not Horse Creek, but the experience is a useful example of why early public involvement matters. Residents described learning about major project changes only after decisions and construction were already progressing, while organized community pressure later resulted in additional scrutiny and noise-mitigation measures. The article reinforces the value of obtaining documents, establishing baseline conditions and organizing before a project is built.

Independent Magazine Reporting