Results are in. We did not elect any Democrats to the Commission, but I am so grateful for all the support! I got more than 6,000 votes of support from Natrona County. Thank you. One thing I have been trying to do is to speak for those of us who often feel unrepresented. We appreciate diversity and independent thought. We don't go along just to fit in. We seek truth. We are not afraid to bring up alternative points of view. We support safe, welcoming communities. Remember, we are stronger together.
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For people who work for a living. For people who love this place. Transparent. Independent.
For people who work for a living. For people who love this place. Transparent. Independent.
A Natrona County native with a blue collar background
Priorities
Priorities
Protect our public lands
Maintain our infrastructure
Fund public safety
Invsest in our children
What about data centers click to expand
What about data centers click to expand
The boom in data center construction nationwide reminds us of the proper role of government. Without thoughtful planning and zoning, without regard for resource management, environmental protection, and the health and well-being of residents, data centers are earning a reputation as terrible neighbors.
Data centers must not be built close to homes. The permitting process must be as transparent as possible, allowing time for public notification, impact studies, and public comment. Particularly when living through a drought, people rightly want to know how a large facility will affect the local water supply. Living with inflation, people want to know how adding a large consumer of natural gas or electricity will affect their utility rates. What about pollution? What about noise, particularly low frequency noise, how far does it travel? What carefully written regulations would protect residents, while also helping developers with their planning and design by clearly communicating non-negotiable limits?
A well planned, properly sited data center can bring economic activity, construction jobs, and long-term maintenance jobs. Developers of large projects who understand the importance of establishing safe working conditions, fair and consistent wages for well-defined crafts, and procedures for addressing disputes and grievances at the outset are able to minimize disruptions and misunderstandings, keeping the project on schedule and minimizing cost overruns. Building man camps brings many questions and concerns from nearby residents. Hiring qualified local contractors and craftspeople, even if the size of the project requires some travelers to help man the job, goes a long way in maintaining goodwill in the community, ensuring that local residents share in the economic benefits.
Government must work for the people. If a project is likely to damage the community, a representative government says no. Well written regulations can actually speed up economic development by communicating information about the feasibility of a project before money and time is spent on planning for an unsuitable location.
Promethius Hyperscale update September 2026 click to expand
Promethius Hyperscale update September 2026 click to expand
First, the easiest question. From the Promethius Hyperscale project proposed for Natrona County, the economic benefit from sales tax in the near-term, property tax annually, and increased jobs and economic activity would be impactful. The project would objectively be good for economic growth in the county, and more jobs would be welcome. The specific numbers are hard to nail down. I assume projections provided by the company to be optimistic.
Why did the projected number of jobs triple between October 2025 and September 2026? This article dated October 2025 states, "This development is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs during the building phase and create dozens of long-term technical positions upon completion." https://www.carboncapturejournal.com/news/group-to-build-carbon-negative-digital-infrastructure-campus-in-wyoming/6980.aspx, but at the September 2026 BOCC meeting, Promethius projected 3,000 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs.
According to BOCC comments on September 1, 2026, the first step Promethius Hyperscale must take in order to permit their data center, power generation, and workforce center campus is to apply for a zoning change through the Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission, to designate the building site as Industrial.
The building site is described as a 940 acre portion of Falls Ranch, south of I-25 and west of Muddy Creek. Falls Ranch is named after a waterfall on the property. I have heard the waterfall is beautiful, but the person who described it admitted to trespassing in order to see it.
If the zoning change is approved, the next steps would require special use permits to be approved by the Natrona County Board of Commissioners. The permitting process is public, and public comment is welcome. The BOCC will need to determine whether the county will permit an Industrial Park designation, rather than requiring Promethius to go through the state Industrial Siting Council. Promethius Hyperscale has stated that were they required to go through the state ISC, their anonymous tenant would pull out and pursue alternate locations in Texas.
There are lots of concerns and questions to work through. We have the benefit of learning from others who have had terrible experiences with data centers in their communities. Building too close to homes has caused people to be exposed to unacceptable levels of noise, particularly low frequency noise that is not picked up by standard equipment used for noise studies. We have the benefit of low density communities here. There is no excuse for industrial sites to impinge on residential areas. How does low frequency noice affect wildlife?
A quick rundown of a few of the concerns:
Water: Promethius says their closed loop cooling system minimizes water usage. WYDEQ will assess the water situation.
Electricity: Promethius says they will generate their own off-grid electricity, at least for the first phase. There seems to be some uncertainty about the power plan for future phases.
Natural Gas: Would our gas bills be affected? Unknown at this time.
Pollution: Inherent to burning gas for electrical generation. WYDEQ will assess.
Accessibility: I-25 and Hat Six Road, may require improvements.
Working Conditions: Who is responsible for safe working conditions? Promethius Hyperscale or the land owner?
Data Center Site Opposition October 7, 2026 click to expand
Data Center Site Opposition October 7, 2026 click to expand
The proposed Promethius Hyperscale data center has been the topic of much discussion in Natrona County. Pro-economic development residents have been vocal, touting jobs, tax revenue, and increased economic activity. Promethius claims that closed loop cooling for both the data center and the power plant will minimize water demand. They say they will generate their own electricity using natural gas generators, (at least for phase one) which will ensure that our electric bills will not be affected (but what about our gas bills?). So, what is the opposition?
Nearby neighbors in Converse County pushed back early against the plan to build massive data center buildings too close to their homes for comfort. Some of their concerns were noise, including the low frequency noise specifically associated with data centers, and the prospect of living in an industrial area. These families are residents of a peaceful landscape, many of them for generations. In response, Promethius changed the plan, moving the building site for the data center into Natrona County, on a different section of Falls Ranch farther away from homes.
A member of the public speaking in favor of the project at the September 1 BOCC meeting mentioned that Natrona County residents are used to living near industrial installations, so this one should not be treated differently. Another mentioned private property rights. A property owner has the right to use his land as he sees fit. While both of these things are true, I would push back a little bit by pointing out that the property owner bought a ranch, one with a beautiful waterfall, surrounded by other ranches. They didn’t buy an industrial lot. To change 940 acres from an agricultural property to an industrial property affects every surrounding property owner and even the public at large. If an existing industrial facility were replaced by a new industrial facility, there would be less opposition.
The most passionate speakers at the September 1 BOCC meeting were saddened by the changes to the land that would result from a massive hyperscale data center and power plant. One woman said the land would never be the same. Of course, she is right. Natrona County residents feel connected to the land. We love the open spaces, the wildlife, the clean air and water. An injury to the land is felt personally and deeply by residents. These concerns should not be brushed off as merely emotional, but instead must be weighed as a cost of proceeding with re-zoning of the proposed site. Perhaps, as part of a Community Benefits Agreement, the waterfall should be opened permanently to the public. That might demonstrate a recognition of the importance of the natural beauty of the landscape to the residents of Natrona County.
Promethius Out, Billionaire Onward October 31, 2026
Promethius Out, Billionaire Onward October 31, 2026
Promethius Hyperscale pulls out of the proposed Natrona County Data Center project. The owner of Falls Ranch, Texas oil billionaire Russel Gordy, insists the project will go on. Here is a video WSJ made about his ranches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axpD6XqjdTE
This is the opposite of what I thought might give the project a better chance of working in Natrona County. Promethius Hyperscale looks for innovative ways to solve problems that concern potential neighbors, like the closed loop cooling systems they proposed for both the data center and the power plant to limit water consumption. On the other hand, I heard a rumor that Russel Gordy is staunchly opposed to any green energy solutions on his property. This would mean maximum capacity along with the resulting emissions for both the natural gas power generation and the back-up power system, which would likely be diesel generators if batteries coupled with solar, wind, geothermal, or other green solutions were off the table. No one wants to be downwind of massive diesel generators.
To back up the anti-renewables rumor I can point to some observations. First, when Mr. Gordy hosted a bus tour of his property, he invited Republican candidates for Natrona County Commission, as well as other statewide offices, but declined to invite any Democratic candidates. Second, the story of his opposition to his neighbor’s proposed wind turbines, told in the book, The Crazies by Amy Gamerman https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crazies-amy-gamerman/1145682214 provides clues. The book does not explicitly say that Russel Gordy thinks wind energy is woke, but I strongly suspect that is the case.
The conflict recounted in the book revolves around property rights. Mr. Gordy’s Montana neighbor, Richard Jarrett, applied for permits to lease some of his ranch land for wind turbines. Mr. Jarrett’s uber-wealthy neighbors, including Russel Gordy, nicknamed “the oligarchs” by Jarrett’s attorney, sued to prevent him from leasing his land. Jarret really needed the lease money because it is difficult to make a living on cattle alone. The oligarchs claimed the wind turbines would be so disruptive that they would be robbed of the enjoyment of their own property. It is ironic that Russel Gordy has now placed himself on the opposite side of the property rights argument. Some of his neighbors call it hypocrisy.
Mr. Gordy bought a ranch. He did not buy an industrial property. If he applies for a zoning change for his agricultural property, the county is required to consider the effects of the proposed data center and power plant on both his immediate neighbors and the county as a whole.
According to testimony from the sitting Natrona County Commissioners at the October 6, 2026 BOCC meeting, Mr. Gordy is motivated to lease his land for a hyperscale data center because of estate planning. It is not enough that he is already a billionaire. It is not enough that he will bequeath a lovely 17,000 acre ranch with a waterfall to his descendants. He wants to extract more money from the land. The Gordys do not live on Falls Ranch. It is an investment.
In my personal musings before the latest developments, I imagined that Promethius Hyperscale could possibly find a more suitable site in Natrona County, and that if they could mitigate some of the environmental concerns by incorporating some renewable energy solutions, maybe they could convince more people to support their project. They would still face opposition, but they might have been able to peel some off. Forget that now.
Mr. Gordy and Justin Farley, CEO of Advance Casper, seem determined to hop on the Hyperscale data center trend. Mr. Farley has previously expressed astonishment that a business would even care about public opinion. Advance Casper, a public-private partnership, is another topic to discuss. What taxpayer funds and resources go to Advance Casper, and what say do the citizens have in its activities?
Property Tax Ballot Initiative click to expand
Property Tax Ballot Initiative click to expand
Wyoming residents will see a ballot initiative called the People's Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming in November 2026. The initiative would create a 50% exemption for property used as a primary residence, as long as the claimant has resided there for at least a year, and must live there for at least six months of the tax year. Recently, exemptions for seniors and veterans have already been enacted, as well as a 25% exemption for the first $1 million of home value.
On the upcoming ballot measure, there is no cap on the value of property to be exempted. Someone who lives in a $15 million mansion would keep money in their pocket that is currently helping to fund education, first responders, and senior services in our communities. Someone who lives in a modest house would save a smaller amount of money, which may be sorely needed, but that person is also more likely to be negatively affected by cuts to basic community services.
Wyoming is known as a low tax state. Wyoming ranks #1 overall on the Tax Foundation 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. We have no state income tax. All homeowners contribute to our communities by paying property tax. Owners of expensive homes paying more than owners of modest homes is a fair system. On the other hand, if lack of revenue causes sales tax to be increased to keep basic services intact, that would disproportionately affect low income people, and that would not be fair.
The idea of reducing property tax when we are facing higher bills is tempting. We are all paying more for everything, but most of our wages are not keeping up. According to Neilsberg.com, median household income in Wyoming is around $75,000, which actually decreased between 2010 and 2023. In contrast, the top 5% mean household income in Wyoming is over $417,000. What a difference! Many of our neighbors must spend every dime just to meet basic needs, while others have the luxury to save and invest.
I oppose this ballot initiative. Because there is no cap on the value of property to be exempted, this initiative would cut revenue substantially more than the 25% exemption with a $1 million cap already has. Road maintenance, community health, and raises for city, county, and state employees would be on the chopping block. Wealthy people would significantly reduce their share of contributions to our communities. The (Rich) People’s Initiative is a relic of the recent reign of irresponsibility in Cheyenne, with the same legislators who suggested massive cuts to the University of Wyoming bringing this ballot initiative forth. The (Rich) People’s Initiative was crafted to appeal to people in need, but it rewards wealth paired with greed, at the expense of communities.
Qualities of a good representative click to expand
Qualities of a good representative click to expand
Open to growth opportunities while maintaining respect for existing neighbors
Seeks expert advice on long term consequences to water, wildlife, and environment
Is able to provide transparency by speaking about the various interests and factors under scrutiny
Listens with an open mind
Seeks factual information
Knows the world is not black and white
Thinks for themselves
Chooses problem solving over virtue signaling
Remembers the people who are too busy working to come to the meeting
Roots
Roots
My maternal great- grandparents came to Wyoming from Sweden. August and Ida Anderson won a lottery in 1906 for a homestead on Badwater Creek near Shoshoni. August worked for the railroad. Sadly, they lost their house to a flood in 1923. The homestead site is now under water, part of Boysen Reservoir.
Experience
Experience
I completed my electrical apprenticeship in 2009. This opened up opportunities to work as a journeyman electrician, electrical project coordinator, and electrical estimator. I am a member of IBEW LU 322. I have an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology from Casper College. I attended Natrona County public schools K-12, graduating from Kelly Walsh High School.
Concerns
Concerns
Natrona County is a nice place to live. Natrona County is a nice place to grow up. Let’s keep it that way. Good neighbors contribute their fair share. Good neighbors clean up after themselves. Good neighbors might be homeowners, renters, small businesses, or large industrial sites. Each has rights and responsibilities, and each deserves respect and consideration.
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