Advocacy group asks NMED to toss Project Jupiter air permit application
An advocacy group, New Energy Economy, is urging the New Mexico Environment Department to dismiss Project Jupiter's air permit application. The group argues the proposed Southern New Mexico data center lacks a legally authorized natural gas pipeline for its massive power generation needs, as the State Land Commissioner has twice denied the pipeline's path through state trust land. This air permit is now considered the main obstacle to the project's completion.
New Energy Economy, an advocacy group, has formally requested that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) dismiss Project Jupiter's air permit application. The group contends that the proposed Southern New Mexico data center, a component of the ambitious $500 billion Stargate initiative, cannot proceed as its vital natural gas supply pipeline, dubbed the Green Chile Lateral, remains unauthorized. State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has twice denied Yucca Growth Infrastructure's application to route a portion of the pipeline through state trust land, a decision that is currently facing a pending appeal.
The motion from New Energy Economy highlights that the pipeline is essential for delivering the 400 million cubic feet of natural gas daily required for the data center's electricity generation, making it fundamental to the project's existence. Max Shepherd, the NMED air quality permit hearing officer, has ordered all parties, including developers Yucca Growth Infrastructure and the state’s energy department, to submit responses by August 11 addressing the feasibility of alternative gas sources, their intent to appeal the Commissioner's denial, and the project’s overall viability.
Yucca Growth Infrastructure, through its counsel Jennifer Bradfute, affirmed its commitment to fulfilling all regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, Mariel Nanasi of New Energy Economy praised Shepherd's order for directly addressing critical questions, calling it a step toward avoiding costly hearings on a potentially unviable project. Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA) has also voiced support for the motion, emphasizing the application's incompleteness without a confirmed power source. The developers had successfully moved the permit hearing to an earlier date, but a new motion seeks to revert it.