Santa Fe County pauses new data center development for 18 months
Santa Fe County commissioners have approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development to study potential impacts such as water use, e-waste, noise, and electricity costs. This decision follows public concerns and makes Santa Fe the second county in New Mexico to implement such a suspension.
Santa Fe County commissioners recently approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development, citing the need to thoroughly evaluate their potential impacts on local resources and the environment. This decision places a temporary halt on construction while county leaders research critical issues such as data center water usage, electronic waste, noise pollution, and electricity costs.
The approval followed a public comment period where residents voiced significant concerns. Glenn Wikle, a Santa Fe County resident, described data centers as "other-worldly limited access warehouses that are full of high-powered electronics and a never-ending drone of cooling fans." Another resident, Paulina Perez, urged commissioners to consider the long-term implications, stating, "I just want everyone in the room to take a moment and realize this will impact the future of New Mexico, so I would like everyone to think what is the legacy that we're going to leave our children."
Santa Fe County's action marks the second instance of a New Mexico county implementing such a suspension. Socorro County previously approved a similar measure last month, indicating a growing trend among local governments in the state to scrutinize data center expansion.