Project Jupiter draws DOJ probe over public comments filed under officials’ names
The New Mexico Department of Justice is investigating alleged fraudulent online public comments supporting Oracle's Project Jupiter data center in Santa Teresa. Officials reported their names and emails were used without permission to back an air quality permit for the project. Oracle has stated its support for transparency and the investigation, while critics continue to raise environmental and water usage concerns.
The New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into alleged fraudulent public comments submitted online in support of Project Jupiter, a significant data center development in Santa Teresa. Multiple New Mexico public officials have filed complaints, reporting that their names and emails were used without authorization to submit comments endorsing a pending air quality permit for the project. Investigators have requested cooperation from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), which oversees the public input website.
Oracle, the company behind Project Jupiter, welcomed the investigation. Mahesh Thiagarajan, executive vice president of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, stated the company's commitment to transparency and expressed support for the DOJ's probe, asserting that Oracle follows due process and compliance at every step. Project Jupiter is slated to be one of the country's largest data center campuses, with a projected cost of $165 billion over its 30-year master plan.
However, the project faces public opposition. Critics argue against the development, citing concerns primarily related to environmental impact and significant water usage. Local lawmakers are also reportedly addressing concerns from Las Cruces residents regarding the data centers.