County passes data center moratorium
The Grant County Commission approved a one-year moratorium banning data center development and supporting infrastructure in the county by a 4-1 vote. The decision followed substantial public concern about resource demands, emissions, light pollution and potential impacts on residents, while Granite Renewables and Site Layer 1 argued that the pause could jeopardize a proposed solar-powered data center project.
The Grant County Commission in New Mexico approved a one-year moratorium on data center development and related infrastructure, rejecting a modified version that would have more clearly protected Granite Renewables’ proposed 715-megawatt solar-and-battery project and a feasibility study for colocating a data center. The ordinance passed 4-1, with Commissioner Thomas Shelley opposed.
The measure followed extensive public comment, with most speakers supporting a pause to allow more information and analysis. Residents and community representatives raised concerns about long-term demands on county resources, possible natural-gas emissions, air quality, light pollution and impacts on children’s respiratory health. Commission Chair Chris Ponce and Commissioner Eddie Flores said the county needed more direct engagement and information from the project developers.
Project representatives Blake Marcus and Adrienne Bell of Site Layer 1 opposed the moratorium, warning that it could disrupt financing, interconnection and permitting schedules. They argued that regulatory discussions and community-benefit agreements could proceed without a ban. Granite Renewables said it would continue pursuing the solar project regardless of the data center’s feasibility, although the ordinance’s language could affect that effort.