AGP Executive Report

Advanced Nuclear & Power Buildout: Hyundai E&C signed a framework with TerraPower to serve as EPC partner for Natrium next-gen reactors, including up to eight additional units after TerraPower’s Wyoming project. Data Center Power Supply: LS Electric won a $34.3M Bloom Energy contract to deliver power distribution systems for a hyperscale data center in Wyoming, with equipment supply slated for early 2027. Manufacturing Investment in Wyoming: Mesa Power Solutions opened a new $70M manufacturing and admin campus in Evansville, consolidating 300 jobs and targeting up to 2 GW/year of natural-gas generator equipment capacity. Water & Energy Risk (Regional): Reports show Lake Powell and Lake Mead hitting record lows, raising pressure on hydropower and water deliveries across the Colorado River basin; Wyoming experts say drought planning shouldn’t block Wyoming dam plans. Local Institutions & Workforce: LCCC leaders recommend renaming the college to Wyoming State College, aiming to broaden recruitment beyond a “community college” perception. State Culture: Gov. Gordon will proclaim September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month, highlighting preservation efforts statewide.

Archaeology & Culture: Gov. Mark Gordon will proclaim September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month, with a public event at the State Capitol Aug. 20 and a poster spotlighting Wyoming’s horse-and-people history. Energy & Water Risk: Lake Powell hit a record low, now about 30 feet from the point where hydropower turbines would stop, adding pressure after Lake Mead’s historic drop and raising stakes for water, power, and the Colorado River Basin. Small Business Relief: The SBA opened low-interest federal disaster loans for drought-impacted small businesses and nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years and applications through March 29, 2027. Wyoming Economy Talk: The Wyoming Business Council says more than 1,000 residents joined its Team Wyoming Huddle discussions on costs, jobs, health care, and housing. Local Business & Growth: Liaison Technology Group acquired Windsor-based Imagine More, expanding custom lighting showrooms and e-commerce into a broader design-to-install platform. Campaign & Workforce: In the GOP U.S. Senate primary, Reid Rasner is ramping TV and touting grassroots donations as polls close Tuesday. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show county-by-county fuel price swings, with some of the lowest regular and premium prices appearing in select Wyoming counties for the week ending Aug. 8.

Colorado River Crunch: Lake Powell fell to a record-low 3,519.91 feet, just ~30 feet above the Glen Canyon Dam hydropower “minimum power pool,” raising alarms for water, power, tourism, and the 40+ million people who rely on the basin. Rare Earths Supply Chain: American Rare Earths signed a non-binding MoU with Novex to move Halleck Creek Wyoming oxides toward domestic rare-earth metal for permanent magnets, targeting a longer-term supply deal within 12 months. Nuclear Energy in Wyoming: Chey Tae-won (SK) and Bill Gates (TerraPower) met in Seoul to expand cooperation tied to TerraPower’s Natrium project in Kemmerer, Wyoming, as AI-driven electricity demand grows. Defense Procurement: The U.S. Air Force bought DJI drones for nuclear-base security training in Wyoming, using them as counter-drone targets for real-world radio and comms testing. Logistics/Storage: Dry Box is marketing new shipping-container modifications—rollup doors, man doors, windows, ventilation, shelving, and security upgrades—for businesses and property owners. Public Safety & Health: ICE expanded 287(g)-style partnerships with state police including Wyoming, while UCHealth announced a LifeLine helicopter base in Steamboat Springs starting Jan. 2027 to speed critical patient transfers. Local Business Oversight: FDA reported two “No Action Indicated” inspections in a Natrona County city (Noland Feed and Vitalant) in July.

Colorado River Water Stress: Lake Powell hit a record low at 3,519.91 feet, just shy of the point where hydropower generation can’t run, coming days after Lake Mead’s historic drop—another sign of how drought is squeezing water for millions and major agriculture across the Southwest. Wyoming Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Sheridan County midgrade price at $4.19 (week ending Aug. 8) and Sweetwater County E15 at $3.79, with Wyoming averages easing but still sensitive to refinery and oil-market swings. Crypto Policy Clash: Banks are pushing back hard against the CLARITY Act, arguing the bill needs stronger protections for state and local banks and raising concerns about crypto reward programs that could pull money from checking and savings. Wyoming Tech/Finance Spotlight: Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is slated to speak Aug. 18 at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium in Jackson Hole, with “modernizing financial infrastructure” on the agenda. Local Agriculture Support: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted producers, including Wyoming counties, urging ranchers to check with local FSA offices first. Defense Procurement: The U.S. Air Force is buying DJI drones for F.E. Warren AFB to train missile security forces against counter-drone threats.

Wyoming Politics & Governance: With the Aug. 18 primary days away, three GOP candidates—Sen. Eric Barlow, Megan Degenfelder, and Brent Bien—made their final case in Cheyenne and Laramie, focusing on rural healthcare, water infrastructure, energy costs, and limits on federal overreach. Wildlife & Public Lands: A new Trump-era proposal would shift grizzly bear management so states can authorize more killing, drawing sharp pushback from conservation groups and Wyoming advocates as public comment deadlines near. Energy & Infrastructure: United Airlines announced a seasonal nonstop from Boston to Jackson Hole starting Feb. 13, betting on Wyoming’s growing winter tourism. Mining & Tech for Industry: Wyoming-registered Junior Mining Media Group says its OreLens mining-trader software surged 700% in sign-ups in 10 days, aiming to replace old multi-tab workflows with a dedicated scanner and dilution tracker. Education & Workforce: Eastern Wyoming College’s Archaeology Field School wrapped up a six-week excavation at the POWARS II site, training students for professional fieldwork. Local Business & Services: Junk Removal 365 expanded a national directory model that charges independent haulers no commissions, letting them keep 100% of what they earn.

Military Infrastructure: A new U.S. Office of the Inspector General report details serious housing and infrastructure problems at Pacific bases, including mold, asbestos, water intrusion, and falling-debris risks. Energy & Transportation: WYDOT crews begin work Monday on the I-80 bridge west of the Green River Tunnels, with lane closures and an Exit 89 on-ramp shutdown through Oct. 31. Agriculture & Drought Response: Gov. Mark Gordon authorized emergency transportation permits for oversized livestock feed and livestock shipments for 30 days, while weed and pest districts warn hay could bring invasive weeds—buyers should track sources and watch fields. Wildlife & Roads: WYDOT and Game and Fish are building wildlife crossings on a 30-mile stretch of US-189 near Kemmerer, aiming to cut collisions; completion targeted for Oct. 2027. Mining & Markets: OreLens, a Wyoming-registered junior mining trading scanner/dilution tracker, says sign-ups jumped 700% in 10 days. Elections & Workforce: The Wyoming Business Alliance urges voters to turn out Aug. 18, arguing housing and business growth are tied to keeping workers in-state. Education & Tech: UW’s Engineering Summer Program for Teachers brought 52 K-12 educators to build physical computing lessons using robotics and coding tools. Aviation & Tourism: United Airlines plans a seasonal nonstop Boston–Jackson Hole route starting Feb. 13, 2027, boosting winter travel access.

Aviation & Defense: F.E. Warren opened a new $140 million helicopter and Tactical Response Force facility for the MH-139A “Grey Wolf,” replacing decades-old UH-1N Hueys and boosting nuclear-mission readiness. Highway Construction: WYDOT crews will start Monday on the I-80 bridge deck replacement near the Green River Tunnels, with single-lane closures, a closed eastbound Exit 89 on-ramp, and a 10-foot width limit through the zone (work through Oct. 31). Wildlife Safety: WYDOT and Game and Fish are building wildlife crossings on a 30-mile stretch of US-189 outside Kemmerer, including deer fencing plus underpasses and an overpass, targeting roughly 80 wildlife-vehicle collisions a year. Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Gordon authorized emergency transportation permits for oversized livestock feed shipments during drought, while weed and pest districts warn hay buyers to watch for invasive weeds. Public Health: Measles cases keep rising as the Trump administration overhauls vaccine guidance, widening immunity gaps. Local Business & Politics: Wyoming Business Alliance urges voters to back candidates who support growth, housing, and amenities ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.

Infrastructure: WYDOT and DeBernardi Construction will start work Aug. 17 on the I-80 bridge west of the Green River Tunnels, replacing the eastbound bridge deck with single-lane closures, a 10-foot width limit, and an Oct. 31, 2026 completion target. Defense & Aviation: A new $140M helicopter and Tactical Response Force facility opened at F.E. Warren AFB, supporting the 90th Missile Wing’s nuclear deterrence mission and the transition to the MH-139A Gray Wolf. Energy & Policy: ICE expanded partnerships with Wyoming law enforcement under the 287(g) model, letting trained troopers perform immigration enforcement under federal supervision during routine stops and inspections. Mining & Finance: A securities class action targets Ramaco Resources over its Brook Mine rare-earth claims in Sheridan County, with the case tied to its Aug. 7, 2025 secondary offering. Local Politics: Northeast Wyoming legislative candidates reported nearly $300K raised ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with Gillette’s House District race drawing major PAC and donor attention. Community & Industry: Cheyenne’s Frontier Days cancellation led to the creation and growth of the Hell on Wheels Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Dinner as an outdoor summer alternative.

Advanced Nuclear in Wyoming: Bill Gates’ TerraPower is pushing its Natrium SMR project in Kemmerer, with Korean partners HD Hyundai and SK expanding their roles in the global supply chain and Doosan Enerbility winning contracts to build key reactor components. Wyoming Energy Politics: Republican candidate Reid Rasner is centering Wyoming’s federal mineral royalty share in his U.S. House pitch, arguing more revenue should flow back to education, infrastructure, and public safety. Data Center Backlash: A new report highlights how data-center PR campaigns are meeting resistance, with local opposition tied to power and water strain—an issue Wyoming communities are watching as development grows. Courts & Finance: The Blockchain Association urges the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh whether the Fed can deny Custodia Bank access to master accounts, a case with direct implications for Wyoming’s chartered crypto bank. Agriculture & Drought Response: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted producers, including Wyoming. Local Infrastructure: Cheyenne approved a site plan for a fire hall reconstruction and Wyoming cities are moving forward with planned street improvements.

Airport Infrastructure: Cheyenne Regional Airport is moving ahead with a roughly $3.3 million reconstruction, replacing aging pavement on General Aviation Taxiway A1 to meet federal safety standards. Local Public Works: Wyoming city council approved a site plan for fire hall alterations, including a setback variance, interior-focused construction, and a hose drying tower as city offices relocate. Energy & Finance: PEDEVCO reported big Q2 gains, with revenue up to $46.1M and adjusted EBITDA rising to $18.7M, driven by higher production. Agriculture & Conservation: Maggie Miller of Grindstone Cattle Company won the 2026 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award for long-running stewardship and water-rights support. Tech & Innovation: Innosphere, with Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance and Headwaters Tech Hub, signed an MOU to build a unified Mountain West innovation and test facilities network. Water & Drought: A new federal drought outlook says monsoon-driven relief may improve parts of the Great Basin and Four Corners, but much of Colorado and New Mexico stay dry—an ongoing stressor for ranchers and producers. Legal/Finance Tech: Wyoming-chartered Custodia Bank’s fight for Fed master account access continues as the Blockchain Association urges the Supreme Court to limit the Fed’s discretion.

Colorado River Water Policy: Wyoming’s State Engineer says 2007 operating guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead are expiring, and the federal government is moving to set a new framework that could mean major lower-basin cuts if states can’t agree. Drought Impacts on Ranching: Severe drought in Johnson County is pushing ranchers to sell calves early and even cut breeding stock as hay and forage fail. Wyoming Weather & Smoke: A cooler, wetter pattern is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms and reduce wildfire smoke through the weekend, with moisture lingering into next week. Energy & Manufacturing: Mesa Power Solutions is expanding with a new Evansville manufacturing campus aimed at supporting grid stability, adding hundreds of jobs. Outdoor Gear Sales: Mountain Equipment named Elliott Nolan as Rocky Mountain territory sales rep covering Wyoming and neighboring states. Public Safety & Roads: Wyoming Highway Patrol reported two fatal motorcycle crashes near Newcastle and Cody, and officials say an agricultural-machinery fire was contained near Casper. Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, with no illnesses reported so far. Local Governance: A Cheyenne Ward 1 candidate says the city needs more amenities and controlled development.

Severe Weather & Public Safety: Campbell County crews rescued residents trapped in a damaged home after an observed tornado near Rattlesnake Road and S Highway 59; officials say the storm has moved on and South Highway 59 remains open. Wildlife & Land Management: Game and Fish reports two young grizzlies still moving after avoiding traps north of Powell, while a Forest Service closure followed a bear encounter at Teton Pass; no further bear action is planned. Fire Risk for Rural Operators: Natrona County says a fire southwest of Casper was sparked by agricultural machines, kept under an acre with no injuries; officials urged residents to use extinguishers and plan around vegetation hazards. Energy & Water Stress: A new study defines “snow-eater heat waves,” warning the West’s warming is disrupting snowmelt timing—an issue that hits ranchers and water managers hardest. Agriculture & Drought Response: The Wyoming Weed & Pest Council is urging producers to watch for invasive weeds as drought relief hay arrives under Gordon’s emergency transport order. Business & Growth: Earth Science Tech says it expanded via acquisition of Meduvo LLC, adding a West Coast compounding hub and authorizing dispensing in Wyoming and 33 other jurisdictions. Local Governance: Cheyenne’s city council approved annexation for a data center. Community & Industry: Wyoming Game and Fish seeks input on trout protection water rights in the Bighorns.

Rural Health Care Push: Cheyenne-area candidate Reid Rasner says Wyoming’s long travel times and hospital pressures need federal policy built around rural access—better reimbursement, workforce support, and more insurance options. Data Center Growth & Local Oversight: Cheyenne City Council approved annexation of about 34 acres near Roundtop Road and Happy Jack Road for data center staging and storage, while Laramie County Library System is hosting a public forum on how Wyoming reviews and permits major industrial projects like data centers. Wildfire Watch: The Weiser Knoll wildfire near Lander remains uncontained at about 13,350 acres with a Level 3 “Go” evacuation order for the Twin Creek drainage area; crews are also working the Bare Fire in the Wyoming Range. Energy, Water & Industry Signals: A new executive order aims to move more hay to drought-hit livestock areas, but officials warn noxious weeds could hitch rides with feed shipments. Healthcare Construction Milestone: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center topped off a new 11-story acute care tower, expanding private rooms, emergency capacity, trauma bays, hybrid operating rooms, and ICU beds. Scam Alerts: Cheyenne led Wyoming cities in BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, with online purchase scams most common.

Cheyenne Growth & Land Use: Cheyenne City Council approved annexation of about 34 acres near Roundtop Road and Happy Jack Road for data center staging and storage, with supporters citing needed infrastructure and opponents raising concerns about noise, aquifers, and more annexation tied to the boom. Wyoming Politics: U.S. Senate candidate John Holtz laid out priorities ahead of the Aug. 18 GOP primary, stressing smaller government, national defense, and top worries including Iran, inflation, and wildfires. Energy & Oil/Gas: Japex will spend $320 million to buy tight oil and gas assets in Colorado and Wyoming via Peoria Resources, aiming for scale and cost reductions tied to its 2026-2035 production plan. Public Safety & Fire: Crews reported the Weiser Knoll Fire near Lander at about 13,350 acres with zero containment and a Level 3 “Go” evacuation for the Twin Creek drainage area, while the Bare Fire in the Wyoming Range held at 443 acres as crews strengthened lines. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has expanded to 27 states, prompting downstream recalls reaching major retailers including Walmart and Whole Foods, with Wyoming included among affected states. Cybersecurity for Utilities: DEF CON Franklin and the NRWA launched a Water Watch Center to bring managed cyber defense to small water utilities, targeting the sector’s biggest rural risk gap. Community & Agriculture: The National FFA Organization reported record membership growth to 1,053,847 student members for 2025-26, while Wyoming producers are urged to watch for invasive weeds as drought relief hay arrives.

Wyoming Economy & Business: Gov. Mark Gordon met with business leaders in Cheyenne to push “Economic Essentials: The Wyoming Way,” tying workforce and education to AI and data-center growth, while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged a new “Future is for Everyone” fund aimed at communities hosting company data centers, including Cheyenne. Energy & Natural Resources: Wyoming producers are bracing for drought impacts as emergency relief permits speed livestock feed and hay deliveries, and state leaders also warned hay buyers to watch for invasive weeds. Water & Infrastructure: A Teton Pass safety push gathered residents and officials after deadly truck-related crashes, with traffic counts showing heavy daily use and a mix of passenger and commercial vehicles. Agriculture: U.S. sugarbeet acreage fell to the lowest level in decades, with weather and economics driving the drop, including fewer acres in Wyoming. Cyber & Utilities: DEF CON Franklin and the National Rural Water Association launched the Water Watch Center to provide managed cybersecurity for small water systems. Policy & Regulation: The Senate delayed the crypto “CLARITY” vote to September, extending uncertainty for digital-asset rules. Legal/Consumer: Attorney General Ford announced a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition limits.

Wyoming Energy & Mining: JAPEX says it will spend about $320M to buy Fundare Resources, expanding its U.S. oil-and-gas footprint with Wyoming and Colorado assets. Critical Minerals: The Wyoming State Geological Survey released new Phosphoria Formation stratigraphic and geochemical data tied to a multistate critical minerals study. Water & Power: Federal managers unveiled a 10-year Colorado River plan that sets parameters for future releases from Lake Powell and Lake Mead, with Wyoming watching for how cuts could land. Rangelands & Legal Fight: Environmental groups filed notice of intent to sue over Forest Service approval of cattle grazing in a grizzly-conflict area southeast of Yellowstone. Local Governance & Housing: Teton County commissioner candidates weigh in on current housing policies, including how growth costs should be handled. Education Tech: Spencer-Owen schools approved a Chromebook parental control software bundle to comply with new state device-control rules. Business & Jobs: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers signed a 3-unit eastern Wyoming deal, targeting Gillette for an early-2027 opening. Public Safety & Land Stewardship: Sheridan-area partners are hosting a free invasive grasses workshop focused on medusahead and ventenata to protect rangelands. Statewide Context: Wyoming reported its hottest July on record amid national heat extremes.