'Remains to be seen' says Haaland on whether she will enforce entire data center moratorium list
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland plans to enact a moratorium on new data centers in New Mexico until state-level protections for water and electricity are passed. While she outlined eight protections, she indicated it 'remains to be seen' if she would lift the moratorium if only some are adopted. Her opponent, Republican Gregg Hull, opposes a moratorium but supports legislation to protect resources, proposing incentives for compliance.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland announced a plan to implement a moratorium on new data centers in New Mexico, effective on day one of her administration, likely through an executive order. The moratorium would remain in place until eight proposed state-level protections, including safeguards for water and electricity rates, are passed by the legislature during the 2027 session.
When questioned by KOB's Blake Troli on whether she would lift the moratorium if only a portion of her proposed guardrails were enacted, Haaland stated that such a decision 'remains to be seen,' indicating she would assess the progress made at that time. Her Republican opponent, Gregg Hull, expressed opposition to a statewide moratorium but supports legislation to protect water and electricity resources. Hull's proposed legislation would ban data centers from using potable water and require them to build their own electrical infrastructure. He suggests using state business incentives as a negotiating tool to ensure data centers comply with these protections before new laws are passed, arguing that without incentives, data centers would not be interested in operating in New Mexico.