AG: Many Project Jupiter comments remain unverified
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said many of the 17,419 public comments submitted on Project Jupiter’s air permit cannot yet be verified as genuine individual submissions. The review concerns a proposed natural-gas fuel-cell microgrid for the data center in Doña Ana County and could affect how the permit hearing officer evaluates public input.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez informed Environment Secretary James Kenney that a substantial share of the 17,419 comments submitted on Yucca Growth Infrastructure’s pending air permit for Project Jupiter could not be verified as independent public submissions. About 60% came from roughly 9,000 internet addresses, while approximately 4,700 comments opposing the permit were linked to 17 internet connections. Some residents said their information had been used without consent after they provided it to project canvassers.
Torrez asked the New Mexico Environment Department and SmartComment to preserve portal data, separate unverified comments and seek guidance from the hearing officer on whether they should count as public opinion. He also raised the possibility of reopening the comment period. The permit covers a natural-gas-based Bloom Energy fuel-cell installation intended to provide microgrid power for the data center. Oracle said it cooperated with the investigation and argued that any improper conduct should not undermine legitimate participation, while the Environment Department said it would preserve records and assist the ongoing inquiry.