Socorro County approves 1-year moratorium on data centers
The Socorro County Commission unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development following extensive public opposition to the proposed Green Data Center project. Residents raised concerns about water resources, ranch land, and scientific assets like the Very Large Array. The county will also form a Blue Ribbon Committee to study these issues.
The Socorro County Commission has unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development and related infrastructure, a decision that followed over two months of public opposition to the proposed Green Data Center project. The vote, which took place on June 9, came after New Mexico Tech (NMT) and Green Data had already announced a mutual pause on their partnership due to public concerns raised at a town hall meeting.
Fourteen county residents spoke in favor of the moratorium, urging commissioners to protect critical water resources, ranch land, and scientific assets, including the Very Large Array. The moratorium also includes the formation of a Blue Ribbon Committee, with several residents volunteering to participate.
Jason Bak, CEO of Green Data, addressed the commission, expressing his company's support for both the moratorium process and the establishment of the committee. Bak acknowledged public skepticism but argued that the Green Data project was distinct from other controversial data center developments and highlighted potential community benefits, including $50 million annually in direct benefits and job creation.
Cecilia Rosacker, executive director of the Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust and spokesperson for the grassroots organization Inform Socorro, hailed the moratorium as a significant victory for Socorro County residents. Inform Socorro now plans to advocate for the City of Socorro to adopt a similar data center moratorium.