Election week, a permit reversal and an $8.25 million ballot blunder
A study estimates that data center demand increased wholesale electricity prices in the Arizona-New Mexico region by 8.6% during 2024 and 2025. Separately, Yucca Growth Infrastructure waived a deadline for a decision on the air permit for its proposed Project Jupiter power facility near Santa Teresa and asked state regulators to postpone a public hearing while application revisions are reviewed.
New research cited by Organ Mountain News estimates that data center demand raised wholesale electricity prices across the Arizona-New Mexico region by 8.6% in 2024 and 2025, with a larger impact projected by 2028. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is supporting bipartisan legislation that would require data centers to cover infrastructure costs associated with serving them, though the proposal has not become law.
The newsletter also reported a change in the permitting process for Project Jupiter, a proposed power facility near Santa Teresa. Developer Yucca Growth Infrastructure waived a Nov. 23 air-permit decision deadline and joined state regulators in requesting that a Dec. 7 public hearing be postponed until revisions to the application are reviewed. The permit remained pending and no new hearing date had been confirmed.