Water protection resolution prompts other concerns
Chaves County Commissioners approved a resolution to prioritize water for agriculture and residents, prompted by concerns over water usage by industrial developments, including a planned data center by Zenith Volts Corp. Residents also proposed a moratorium on massive industrial projects until county ordinances are updated and transparent. The data center project near Lake Arthur had its special use permit approved last summer despite ongoing resident concerns about water use and solar panel disposal.
Chaves County Commissioners in New Mexico recently approved Resolution 26-025, which formalizes the county government's commitment to prioritizing and protecting water resources for agricultural and human needs. County Manager Bill Williams read aloud from the resolution, emphasizing the critical water shortage in New Mexico and the necessity of safeguarding water for future generations and the region's agricultural heritage. The resolution specifically noted the loss of agricultural lands due to urban, industrial, and technological advancements, including renewable energy projects. It pledges to monitor incoming industries that depend on the county's water resources to prevent the community's way of life from being compromised.
The resolution was prompted by significant public concern, particularly regarding a data center project planned by Zenith Volts Corp. near Lake Arthur. Resident Ingo Nehls called for a moratorium on "massive industrial projects," such as AI data centers and large-scale energy facilities, until county ordinances and vetting processes are transparently updated. He stressed this as a "pro-accountability" and "pro-planning" stance rather than anti-industry or anti-technology.
Another resident, David Hastings, spoke about the Zenith Volts Corp. project, which includes a 1,265-megawatt solar facility powering a 300-acre data center and a 250-acre battery storage system. Hastings highlighted concerns about the project's potential impact on the regional water table, especially for cooling, and questioned the disposal plan for the large number of solar panels. He urged county officials to require the developer to submit detailed backup engineering plans for cooling if their geothermal plan fails and for solar panel disposal. Commissioner Dara Dana acknowledged resident concerns, stating that the county is in the process of updating its ordinances.