Santa Fe County eyes yearlong data center moratorium
Santa Fe County commissioners are considering a yearlong moratorium on data center developments to establish new land-use and environmental regulations. This proposal addresses concerns about high energy and water consumption, drawing lessons from public opposition to projects in other New Mexico counties. A public hearing and vote on the ordinance are scheduled for late June.
Santa Fe County Commissioners are considering a yearlong moratorium on data center developments within the county to establish new land-use regulations and environmental standards. Commissioners Hank Hughes and Lisa Cacari Stone introduced the proposed ordinance, citing concerns over the high energy and water consumption of such facilities and significant public opposition observed in other areas.
The proposed action is a proactive measure, as no data centers are currently proposed in Santa Fe County. However, the county points to controversial projects like Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, which involves Oracle and OpenAI, as examples of potential negative impacts including air pollution, climate-warming emissions, and steep water usage in drought-stricken New Mexico.
County Attorney Walker Boyd stated a public hearing will precede a commission vote in late June. The ordinance seeks to map out potential impacts related to water consumption, electrical demand, grid reliability, environmental concerns, and land-use compatibility. This move aligns with a national trend, as many local governments across the U.S. grapple with the rapid expansion of the data center industry and its demands on resources and infrastructure.