Leaders react as Project Jupiter permits are paused

The New Mexico Supreme Court has unanimously issued temporary stays, pausing the air and water permits for Project Jupiter, a massive AI-training data center under construction in Santa Teresa. This decision comes after clean energy and conservation groups filed petitions alleging lack of due process and a lack of transparency from the developer, Oracle Corp., regarding environmental impacts and power usage.

Federal and state lawmakers have reacted strongly to the ruling. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., have voiced strong opposition, citing threats to water supply, air quality, and the well-being of communities, and calling for greater transparency and regulation. Rep. Sarah Silva, D-Las Cruces, who initially supported the project, has also expressed skepticism due to changing estimates on energy consumption and job creation.

In response to the controversy, State Sen. Carrie Hamblen, D-Las Cruces, plans to sponsor a data center moratorium bill in the upcoming legislative session. However, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham remains a firm supporter of the project, stating her administration will comply with the court's orders while maintaining a fair regulatory process. Doña Ana County Commissioner Susana Chaparro, who previously opposed tax incentives for Project Jupiter, expressed hope that the court's intervention would unite the community.

Despite the permitting delays, construction on the 1,400-acre campus is well underway, with developers having spent significant funds on preliminary work, including a natural gas microgrid. Concerns have escalated as water and energy usage estimates have grown, with the project now projected to generate nearly twice as many greenhouse gases as Albuquerque and Las Cruces combined.