New Mexico Senators Criticize Santa Teresa Data Center Project, Statewide Moratorium Proposed
New Mexico state senators held a press conference to criticize Project Jupiter, a proposed AI data center in Santa Teresa, citing concerns over water, energy, air pollution, and transparency. They announced a public listening session to address community pushback. The article also mentions a proposed statewide data center moratorium.
The Organ Mountain News reports significant public and legislative opposition to "Project Jupiter," a proposed AI data center campus in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Four state senators representing the Las Cruces area—Carrie Hamblen, Joseph Cervantes, Bill Soules, and Jeff Steinborn—convened a press conference at La Llorona Park. During the event, they announced an upcoming public listening session on August 11th at the NMSU campus and strongly critiqued the project's lack of transparency, questionable energy claims, environmental risks, and the inadequate public process surrounding its development.
The senators voiced explicit disapproval of Project Jupiter, highlighting concerns about its potential strain on water resources, impacts on air quality, and risks to ratepayers. They questioned whether residents of southern New Mexico, particularly Doña Ana County, have been sufficiently informed or included in decisions that will profoundly affect their region. Senator Steinborn emphasized the need to prevent New Mexico communities from being treated as "sacrifice zones" for major industrial initiatives.
In addition to the localized opposition against Project Jupiter, the article notes broader discussions around a proposed statewide data center moratorium in New Mexico, indicating widespread concerns about data center expansion across the state. The publication underscores its commitment to local journalism, focusing on connecting public processes with economic development and community impacts.