New Mexico county approves 1-year data center moratorium
Socorro County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center and related infrastructure development. This decision follows public backlash against a proposed 10,000-acre solar farm and data center by Green Data, which New Mexico Tech later dropped. A committee will now be formed to draft regulations for data centers before the moratorium expires.
The Socorro County commissioners in New Mexico have unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on the development of data centers and associated infrastructure. The decision, made on Tuesday night, comes after a period of public opposition to a large-scale project proposed by Green Data.
Green Data had planned a 10,000-acre solar farm and data center located between the towns of Socorro and Magdalena. However, following significant public backlash, New Mexico Tech, which was involved in the project, announced last week its withdrawal from the plans.
The newly enacted moratorium will facilitate the creation of a specialized committee. This committee, composed of experts and community members, will be tasked with developing comprehensive regulations specifically for data centers. These proposed regulations will then be considered by the county before the one-year moratorium officially expires.