New Mexico AG questions public comments on Project Jupiter data center permit
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez found that a substantial share of public comments on Project Jupiter's pending air-quality permit may not have been submitted independently by members of the public. The investigation involves the Oracle and OpenAI data center planned for Santa Teresa, while Doña Ana County commissioners also pushed back on a proposed El Paso Electric backup-power agreement.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said an analysis of 17,419 public comments on Project Jupiter's air-quality permit found that roughly 60% used the same pro-project form letter, while thousands of opposing comments came from only 17 internet addresses. The review also identified comments submitted under the names of public officials and organizations without their authorization. Torrez asked the New Mexico Environment Department to preserve records, flag potentially unverifiable comments and consider reopening the comment period if the submissions cannot be authenticated.
The Project Jupiter data center, being developed by Oracle and OpenAI in Santa Teresa, would use a natural-gas fuel-cell system and could produce greenhouse-gas emissions comparable to those of New Mexico's largest cities combined. The Department of Justice investigation remains ongoing and could expand to potential civil or criminal violations. Separately, Doña Ana County commissioners questioned Oracle's proposed agreement with El Paso Electric to provide emergency backup power while the project's primary power system awaits state air-quality approval.