Lawmakers to hear Las Cruces concerns on Project Jupiter data centers
New Mexico lawmakers met with Las Cruces residents to address concerns about the "Project Jupiter" data center development in Santa Teresa. The project, tied to OpenAI and Oracle, has raised questions about its impact on water, power, and air quality despite prior county approval. Lawmakers announced a community engagement session to allow state officials to answer residents' questions directly.
New Mexico state lawmakers held a press conference in Las Cruces to address growing community concerns regarding "Project Jupiter," a $165 billion data center development under construction in Santa Teresa. Residents and advocates expressed apprehension about the project's potential impact on regional water resources, power grid capacity, air quality, and job creation. Senator Bill Soules emphasized the importance of providing residents a platform to be heard, noting that many felt they had received company propaganda rather than clear answers.
The development, linked to OpenAI (the company owning ChatGPT) and Oracle, has faced scrutiny despite already receiving approval from county commissioners. While Oracle stated the power plant would use Bloom Energy fuel cells instead of gas turbines and diesel generators, and the data centers would employ a closed-loop cooling system with treated non-potable water, many residents remain distrustful and feel they lack sufficient information.
During the press conference at La Llorona Park, advocates stood in the Rio Grande with signs opposing AI data centers in the desert. Conversely, some union workers expressed support, highlighting the over 200 jobs the project currently provides and their concerns about job loss if the project were halted. Senator Jeff Steinborn asserted that even with construction underway, "this is not a done deal," suggesting that sustained state and public pressure could still influence the project's future.
Lawmakers concluded by announcing an upcoming community engagement session scheduled for August 11th at the Corbett Center Ballroom in Las Cruces. This session aims to bring together state officials from water, air, and economic development departments to directly answer residents' questions and further address the community's concerns.