Secret recording reveals efforts to change Sierra County data center moratorium for Spaceport project
A secretly recorded meeting revealed behind-the-scenes efforts to change Sierra County's moratorium on data centers for Green Data's proposed solar-powered facility at Spaceport America. The project, touted to create 500 jobs, faces concerns regarding water use and public opposition. Political strategies and potential Open Meetings Act violations were also discussed.
A newly released 80-minute recording from an August meeting has exposed clandestine efforts to modify Sierra County's moratorium on data centers, specifically to facilitate a proposed project at Spaceport America.
The recording captures discussions between local elected officials, Spaceport Authority member James Paninimo, and Green Data CEO Jason Bach. Bach's company, Green Data, is proposing an 11,000-square-foot, solar-powered data center that he claims could generate approximately 500 jobs, particularly when combined with a planned solar equipment factory in Santa Teresa. Bach highlighted the facility's innovative technology, which would extract water from the air to support its operations. However, the meeting also brought to light significant concerns regarding the project's water consumption, the viability of its technology, and ongoing public opposition.
Sierra County Commission Chairman Jim Paxton expressed his support for an exemption to the moratorium specifically for Green Data's project. He also mentioned that state senator Crystal Diamond was in contact with other commissioners about altering the existing moratorium. This particular aspect has drawn criticism from a government watchdog, suggesting that using a senator as an intermediary could potentially violate New Mexico's Open Meetings Act by creating a "rolling quorum." Despite these efforts, one commissioner stated his opposition to changing the moratorium. The recording further unveiled strong criticism of community opponents and detailed discussions about political strategies surrounding the contentious data center debate.