Students, tribal leaders protest Heinrich’s permitting bill, saying it could speed data centers and fossil fuels
Hundreds of New Mexico students, tribal leaders and environmental advocates protested Sen. Martin Heinrich’s permitting reform bill, arguing it could accelerate fossil fuel projects and AI data centers such as Project Jupiter. Heinrich’s office said the legislation would speed clean-energy permitting, strengthen tribal consultation and prevent data center developers from passing energy-cost increases to utility customers.
Students staged protests in Albuquerque and Santa Fe against Sen. Martin Heinrich’s Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, which would shorten the permitting process for energy projects. Participants said the bill could facilitate new fossil fuel infrastructure and AI data centers, raising concerns about environmental impacts, energy use and development on or near tribal lands. More than 100 students in Santa Fe also protested Project Jupiter and delivered letters to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office.
Tribal and environmental advocates criticized Heinrich for allegedly failing to consult adequately with Native leaders before introducing the bill. Heinrich’s spokesperson disputed that characterization, saying the senator was open to bipartisan amendments and that the bill would strengthen tribal consultation, support cleaner power transmission and require data center developers to bear responsibility for their energy consumption. The governor’s office said Lujan Grisham received the students’ letters and would consider their concerns.