NM counties pass data center moratoriums. What's next?
Several southern New Mexico counties have enacted temporary data center moratoriums while officials study impacts and develop potential regulations. Sierra County Commissioner Sandy Jones is urging an expert panel to examine a proposed project near Truth or Consequences, while opposition continues to focus on water use, noise, electricity demand and pollution.
Sierra County Commissioner Sandy Jones called for an expert and community panel to study data center impacts before the county’s 18-month moratorium expires. The pause was enacted in response to concerns about a proposed facility on state trust land near Spaceport America outside Truth or Consequences, where an organized opposition group called Project Consequences has formed. Jones said the commission could approve a course of action in November.
Santa Fe, Socorro and Grant counties have also enacted moratoriums, with officials citing the need to examine noise, water use, emissions, power demand and infrastructure impacts. Doña Ana County is overseeing a monitoring committee for Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, which includes data center buildings, a proposed natural-gas-powered fuel-cell plant and office space for Oracle and OpenAI. Economic development officials argue that moratoriums could discourage major investments, while residents and some lawmakers are pushing for stronger safeguards and considering a statewide pause.