New Mexico DOJ seeks to halt Project Jupiter, EPA proposes curbing public comment on data centers
The New Mexico Department of Justice is actively working to halt Project Jupiter, citing concerns over developers allegedly cutting corners on water and air quality permits and attempting to fast-track the facility. Separately, the EPA is considering a change that could reduce public notification and comment opportunities for new data center projects.
The New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively engaged in efforts to halt the development of "Project Jupiter" in the state. According to the DOJ, developers associated with the massive facility have been accused of circumventing regulations and attempting to fast-track the project by cutting corners on essential water and air quality permits. Officials state that these actions aimed to "short-circuit" the standard regulatory processes.
In a separate development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly considering a significant policy change that could impact public engagement regarding new data center developments. This proposed change would eliminate a federal requirement to notify the public about new data centers and would consequently curb opportunities for public comment on such projects. The potential policy shift by the EPA aims to alter how public oversight is applied to data center construction and permitting processes across the nation.