Socorro County approves 1-year moratorium on data center development
Socorro County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development and related infrastructure. This decision was made in response to a proposed 10,000-acre solar farm and data center by Green Data, even though New Mexico Tech had previously withdrawn its plans for the project. The vote also initiates the creation of a committee to study the issue further.
The Socorro County Commissioners in New Mexico have unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development and related infrastructure within the county. This decision aims to pause potential construction while a committee of experts and community members is formed to study the issue further.
The moratorium was enacted in direct response to "Green Data's" proposed plans for a 10,000-acre solar farm and data center, which was to be located between the cities of Socorro and Magdalena. Although New Mexico Tech had announced last week that it dropped its plans for involvement in the project, the commissioners proceeded with the vote.
The newly established committee will be tasked with evaluating the implications of data center developments for the county.