New Mexico Data Center Project Faces Legal Challenges, Opposition Over Water Use
Project Jupiter, a data center in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, is facing ongoing legal challenges regarding its air permits and industrial revenue bonds. Public opposition is strong due to significant water usage and has led to calls for a statewide data center moratorium. Developers are pushing to lift a court-ordered pause on permitting, citing economic harm.
The Project Jupiter data center in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, is facing multiple legal challenges and increasing public opposition, primarily centered on its substantial water usage. Developers recently petitioned the state Supreme Court to lift a pause on their air permitting process, arguing that the ongoing delay inflicts "irreparable harm" and hinders economic benefits for New Mexico. Concurrently, a separate legal battle is proceeding over the Board of County Commissioners' year-old decision to authorize $165 billion in industrial revenue bonds for the project.
Amid these legal proceedings, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury voiced renewed frustrations over the data center's water consumption, noting that Project Jupiter currently uses about 782 million gallons annually during its construction phase, enough water for approximately 30,000 New Mexicans or to irrigate thousands of acres of green chile.
A recent Albuquerque Journal poll revealed significant statewide opposition to "large-scale" data centers, with 65% of New Mexicans against them. The poll also found strong support for a data center moratorium, backed by three-quarters of respondents, including majorities across all political affiliations. Some Democratic state lawmakers have pledged to introduce a moratorium bill during the 2027 legislative session. Oracle, identified as a key company involved, has reportedly hired only 189 local residents out of over 2,100 workers, despite prioritizing local hiring.