Leger Fernández calls for pause on new New Mexico data centers, sets standards
U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández is advocating for a pause on new data center development in New Mexico. She introduced "No Blank Checks for Data Centers Principles" to ensure future projects protect water, electricity, and local communities, and create union jobs. This initiative follows growing concerns across the Southwest regarding data center impacts.
U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico) has proposed a temporary halt on new data center construction in New Mexico until developers comply with a new set of standards designed to protect water supplies, electric grid stability, and local communities. On Wednesday, Leger Fernández unveiled her "No Blank Checks for Data Centers Principles," which mandate that data centers cover their own electricity and infrastructure costs without increasing residential utility bills.
The six principles also stipulate that data centers must not harm local water resources, utilize renewable or zero-carbon energy sources, create union jobs, secure community approval prior to construction, and avoid taxpayer subsidies while providing community benefits. Leger Fernández emphasized her support would only extend to projects that meet these criteria, including protecting water, generating good-paying union jobs, using clean energy, and having strong community backing.
New Mexico currently hosts at least 17 publicly mapped data center facilities, predominantly located in Albuquerque and Los Lunas. The representative's call for action comes amid escalating concerns in the Southwest regarding the substantial electricity and water demands of data centers, their reliance on tax incentives, and potential negative impacts on nearby rural areas. Leger Fernández additionally urged Congress to establish a comprehensive national regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and data centers, encompassing civil and criminal liability standards.