Deb Haaland lays out data center policy, including moratorium
Deb Haaland, a candidate for New Mexico governor, is proposing a statewide moratorium on future data center projects and a regulatory framework if elected. Her opponent, Gregg Hull, opposes a blanket moratorium, advocating for project-specific accountability. This policy debate comes amidst legal and community challenges concerning the Oracle and OpenAI-backed "Project Jupiter" in Santa Teresa, which faces a temporary halt on permits from the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Democrat gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland has outlined an eight-pronged proposal to regulate the artificial intelligence industry in New Mexico, including a plan to institute a temporary statewide moratorium on future data center projects via executive order on her first day in office if elected. Haaland also stated she would not prevent local governments from implementing their own data center moratoria, emphasizing a commitment to community safeguards alongside economic opportunities. Her opponent, Republican Gregg Hull, rejects a blanket moratorium, arguing it would signal New Mexico is "closed for business" and instead advocates for project-specific water and energy accountability.
Haaland's proposed framework, developed after discussions with industry representatives, would mandate new data center developments to meet specific standards, including a requirement for renewable energy (excluding nuclear power). This policy push is partly informed by transparency concerns surrounding "Project Jupiter," an Oracle- and OpenAI-backed AI data center campus currently under construction at the Santa Teresa Industrial Park in Doña Ana County. The New Mexico Supreme Court has intervened, temporarily halting air quality permit proceedings and the state's approval of well drilling for water at the Project Jupiter site due to these concerns.
Despite her proposed moratorium, Haaland's plan would not affect Project Jupiter, which is already under construction. Her campaign finance report showed significant contributions from entities associated with Project Jupiter, including Oracle America and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure CEO Clay Magouyrk, which Haaland addressed by stating her commitment to New Mexicans remains paramount. State Representatives Micaela Lara Cadena and Angelica Rubio are also planning to introduce legislation next year to ban future data centers statewide.
Haaland stressed the need for robust protections and strong enforcement mechanisms for data centers, insisting on accountability and consequences for any industry that fails to adhere to rules and laws.