(Substack)—Underscoring the escalating energy demands of artificial intelligence, a massive new data center is set to rise near Cheyenne, Wyoming. This joint project between energy infrastructure firm Tallgrass and AI data center developer Crusoe promises to harness the state’s abundant natural resources while pushing the boundaries of power consumption.
At its initial phase, the facility is projected to devour 15.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—more than five times the amount used by all of Wyoming’s roughly 590,000 residents combined. When fully scaled to 10 gigawatts (GW), it could consume a staggering 87.6 TWh per year, doubling the state’s entire current electricity generation of about 43 TWh.
The data center, located several miles south of Cheyenne near the Colorado border off U.S. Route 85, represents a significant shift for Wyoming, a state long known for exporting energy rather than consuming it locally. Wyoming produces approximately 12 times more energy than it uses, with nearly three-fifths of its electricity sent to other states. The state’s total electricity consumption hovers around 17 TWh annually, with residential users accounting for just over 3 TWh, commercial sectors about 3.6 TWh, and industrial users dominating at nearly 10 TWh. This new facility’s initial draw alone would represent 91% of Wyoming’s current total consumption across all sectors, highlighting the immense scale of AI-driven infrastructure.
To meet these unprecedented demands without straining the public grid, the project will rely on dedicated on-site generation from natural gas and renewable sources. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has hailed the initiative as “exciting news” for the state’s natural gas producers, potentially revitalizing an industry that has faced challenges from shifting energy markets. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins echoes this optimism, anticipating a swift start to construction pending state and local regulatory approvals.
Speculation surrounds the data center’s potential tenants, with whispers linking it to OpenAI’s ambitious Stargate project—a multi-trillion-dollar endeavor to build supercomputers capable of powering advanced AI models. Crusoe, which recently activated a gigawatt-scale facility in Abilene, Texas, in partnership with Oracle for OpenAI, has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Wyoming. OpenAI has publicly scouted locations across 16 states for expansion but has not explicitly named Wyoming, leaving room for intrigue.
This development is part of a broader trend where AI data centers are reshaping energy landscapes nationwide. Wyoming already hosts facilities from tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, drawn by the state’s cool climate and affordable power. However, the surge in demand raises concerns: the International Energy Agency forecasts that data centers’ electricity and water use could double by 2030, fueled largely by AI. In Wyoming, critics worry about potential hikes in electricity bills for everyday consumers as infrastructure strains to keep pace. Nationally, electricity demand growth has accelerated from 2.6% to 4.7% over the next five years, partly due to data centers.
Yet, proponents argue the benefits outweigh the risks. By creating local demand for Wyoming’s fossil fuels and renewables, the data center could bolster economic growth in a state where energy production is a cornerstone. As AI continues to evolve, projects like this one signal a new era where technology’s hunger for power could transform energy-exporting states into hubs of digital innovation.
Wyoming’s proposed AI data center isn’t just a facility—it’s a harbinger of the energy-intensive future of computing. With consumption figures that dwarf residential needs and potential ties to cutting-edge AI, it positions the Equality State at the forefront of a global tech-energy nexus.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.
