New Mexico state senators voice Project Jupiter concerns
Four New Mexico state senators publicly voiced strong concerns and criticisms regarding 'Project Jupiter,' an AI data center development. They highlighted issues of transparency, potential over-promising, and significant environmental impacts, including air emissions and water usage. The senators announced a public listening session and urged community members to comment on an pending air quality permit for the project.
On July 2, four New Mexico state senators—Carrie Hamblen, Joseph Cervantes, Jeff Steinborn, and Bill Soules—addressed community members at La Llorona Park to express their criticisms of 'Project Jupiter,' an AI data center development. The senators raised concerns about the project's potential environmental impact, including air emissions that could exceed those of Las Cruces and Albuquerque combined, and questioned the accuracy and transparency of economic and environmental reports. Sen. Soules highlighted a pattern of data centers over-promising and under-delivering, while Senators Cervantes and Steinborn expressed apprehension about New Mexico being used as a testing ground for major projects at the expense of its environment and people.
The senators specifically focused on an pending air quality permit for Project Jupiter, urging the public to submit comments to the New Mexico Environment Department before July 6. Sen. Steinborn emphasized the state's ability to reject the permit to prevent unacceptable emission levels. Sen. Hamblen concluded the conference by announcing a free public listening session scheduled for August 11 at NMSU, offering another opportunity for the public to engage with state lawmakers and agencies involved in permitting decisions related to air, energy, and water.