New Mexico Lawmakers Propose Statewide Data Center Moratorium

Four Democratic lawmakers, including State Representatives Angelica Rubio, Micaela Lara Cadena, and Eleanor Chávez, and State Senator Carrie Hamblen, announced plans to introduce legislation in the 2027 session to establish a statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers. The proposed pause intends to give the state time to develop a regulatory framework to evaluate energy demand, emissions, water usage, and community benefits.

The legislative push follows controversies surrounding Project Jupiter, an AI hyperscale data center under construction in Santa Teresa for Oracle and OpenAI. Critics allege the Doña Ana County Commission approved the project and billions in tax breaks through a rushed and secretive process without sufficient air quality permits or scrutiny.

Local governments have already taken independent action, with Santa Fe and Socorro counties adopting their own moratoriums. However, responses remain split; city leaders in Raton continue to pursue development for economic growth. Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla expressed opposition to the statewide ban, warning that it could make New Mexico appear closed for business while the state's economy is currently expanding.