Sierra County approves moratorium over new data centers
Sierra County commissioners in New Mexico have unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development, following similar actions by Santa Fe and Socorro counties. Meanwhile, a data center project in Doña Ana County faces environmental scrutiny over its proposed fuel cell power plant.
Sierra County commissioners in New Mexico have unanimously enacted an 18-month moratorium on new data center development, becoming the third county in the state to do so this year. This decision follows similar actions taken by Santa Fe and Socorro counties, indicating a growing trend of local governments pausing data center expansion in the state.
In related news, construction is continuing on "Project Jupiter" in Doña Ana County, near Santa Teresa. This data center campus is currently undergoing the state permitting process, where it faces significant environmental scrutiny. The primary point of contention revolves around a proposed fuel cell power plant intended to supply electricity for the massive facility.
Critics have raised environmental concerns, arguing that the power plant would generate greenhouse gas emissions exceeding the combined output of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces. Developers maintain that the facility is necessary to provide sufficient electricity for the large-scale data center operations.