Doña Ana County commissioners seek clarification on Project Jupiter data center campus

Doña Ana County commissioners have adopted a resolution to seek clarification regarding Project Jupiter, a data center campus currently under construction in the Santa Teresa Industrial Park. The resolution comes amidst growing concerns and questions about whether the project will utilize the closed-loop cooling systems that were originally described to the county. Project Jupiter had previously secured authorization for Industrial Revenue Bonds in September 2025, based on developer information that included plans for closed-loop cooling to minimize impacts on local water systems for both the data center and its associated micro-grid power plant. However, recent reports have prompted doubts about the implementation of these water-saving measures, although county officials confirm they have not received formal communication from developers or tenants confirming any changes. In response, the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners has directed the county manager and two commissioners to communicate with project developers and tenants. Their mandate includes verifying the accuracy of recent public statements, determining if project details differ from the original presentation, identifying options to reduce potential water usage impacts while preserving economic benefits, and reviewing any additional proposed changes. The findings and recommendations are to be presented during a public meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. The county also emphasized that all phases of construction remain subject to county building permit approval and reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible economic development.