Southern N.M. lawmakers seek public hearing on Project Jupiter permits

Two New Mexico lawmakers representing Doña Ana County, Democratic Reps. Micaela Lara Cadena and Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces, have formally requested a public hearing from Environment Secretary James Kenney regarding the air quality permit applications for Project Jupiter. This proposed data center, intended for training OpenAI and Oracle, is controversial due to its plans for twin on-site natural gas generating stations, which could emit greenhouse gases comparable to the state's two largest cities combined. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is currently reviewing the permits and is expected to make a decision by April 22, having already received over 7,000 public comments. In related legal developments, Sixth Judicial District Judge Jennifer DeLaney denied Doña Ana County’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC). The lawsuit, initiated in October, challenges the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners' approval of the data center development, alleging that the body acted improperly by proceeding despite missing application pages. NMELC attorney Kacey Hovden emphasized that the case is about ensuring local government bodies follow legal procedures. While the lawsuit will continue, Judge DeLaney also denied NMELC’s request to pause the county’s actions related to the project until the suit is resolved.