INTRODUCTION
Project Jupiter is a massive data center campus under development for use by Oracle and OpenAI to train artificial intelligence models. Located in Doña Ana County, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, it has been under construction since September 2025. The project is being led by STACK Infrastructure in partnership with BorderPlex Digital Assets. With an estimated total investment of up to $165 billion it represents one of the most significant private-sector infrastructure initiatives in the state’s history. The minimum initial investment is $50 billion with the potential total investment of up to $165 billion over 30 years. Approximately 2,500 construction jobs will be created between 2025 to 2028, with a minimum 750 full-time jobs and 50 part-time jobs after operations begin. The average wages estimated will be between $75,000 and $100,000.
https://www.donaana.gov/about_us/project_jupiter/index.php
HAALAN ANNNOUNCES WILL DECLARE STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS FIRST DAY AS GOVERNOR
On Thursday September 16, Democratic nominee for Governor Deb Haaland held a press conference at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque to announce that immediately upon taking office, she would order a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data center projects, such as Project Jupiter, until a regulatory framework is put in place. Haaland said her plan is to hold data centers accountable and to support of a moratorium on new large-scale projects until clear guardrails are established. The Haaland moratorium plan directly addresses growing concern over data centers, the state’s water crisis, and the rising cost of living.
Haaland is proposing the following protections for New Mexico communities, which are only a starting point and do not impact the current county moratoriums, but instead make sure all New Mexicans can rely on the state to stand up for them:
- No backroom deals, strong community benefits:Open, transparent, and meaningful conversations without NDAs so that communities have a say ahead of decisions, and ensure strong benefits that support schools, roads, infrastructure, workforce, and meet community needs. Formal Tribal consultation is imperative, as is robust monitoring, follow-up, community oversight bodies, and enforcement by state agencies, including clawbacks for failing to meet their promises.
- No utility rate increases & reliable energy for New Mexicans: Require data centers to build their own renewable energy infrastructure to keep energy costs from passing onto consumers and local communities, while also improving energy reliability.
- Protect New Mexico’s water:Require closed-loop systems and the best available technology to protect New Mexico’s clean water supply. Place effective penalties on any industry overuse or water waste.
- New Mexico jobs for New Mexico workers:Projects must be built and run with New Mexico labor, ensuring New Mexicans get job opportunities first, that those jobs are union, and that they meet prevailing wage and fringe-benefit rates. Invest in local pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs in partnership with labor unions. Set in-state workforce targets to train New Mexicans and grow the local workforce.
- Expand renewable energy:Require data centers meet New Mexico’s renewable energy and zero-carbon requirements with restrictions on economic incentives and strong clawbacks in place if these standards are not met.
- Clean air, land, and habitat: Robust and practical plans to ensure data centers don’t harm our water, air, or environment. Protections for communities that are disproportionately impacted by irresponsible development, and adherence to clean air standards, noise limits, light pollution restrictions, habitat protections, and more.
- Clean up your mess:Any industry in New Mexico should clean up after themselves. We will require decommissioning bonds so that data centers clean up after their mess, and we avoid repeating the tragic history that led to our landscapes being littered with orphaned oil and gas wells.
- Accountable to communities: Data centers must go above and beyond these guardrails to be eligible for aid from state business programs, and will pay every penny back if they don’t keep their promises.
During her press conference, Haaland said she would sign an executive order on day one to pause new data centers until the state adopts stronger protections. Haaland said this:
“Let me be clear: If elected governor, we will not move forward with any new projects until the state has adopted protections along with strong enforcement mechanisms. Data centers in New Mexico lack clear accountability, and it’s time we take a stand to protect our communities, our workers and our water.”
Haaland said her checklist containing the eight expectations that data centers would have to meet in order to continue or create a new project in New Mexico are reasonable given the controversy surrounding them. For instance, she said that data centers would be required to create their own source of renewable energy, such as geothermal energy, which she said has not been explored enough in the state and could be a viable energy option in the future
Haaland said New Mexicans would have the first bid on any jobs and that data centers would not receive aid from state business programs unless they “go above and beyond these guardrails.”
Haaland said this:
“Right now, New Mexicans are at the whims of the industry. That will change when I am governor. My administration will work with the Legislature and take the time to get it right, because New Mexicans deserve a state that responds to emerging needs.
New Mexicans are right to be concerned about the fast-paced growth of data centers. Our communities should be protected. That’s why I support a moratorium on data centers until the state adopts clear and transparent accountability measures for this industry. New Mexico has the opportunity to lead the way on how to protect our communities, safeguard our water, boost our economy, and sustain our environment for generations to come.”
Haaland said she believes a moratorium would not make New Mexico less competitive. Instead, she said, it would hold data centers more accountable and encourage additional protections. She noted that counties are free to outright ban data centers in their community if they choose.
Haaland said she has concerns about protecting water, air, and land and the lack of transparency involved with data center projects. As the state faces rapid data center development, Haaland said she will address New Mexicans’ desire for strong, clear, statewide protections and a moratorium to ensure that these projects do not harm our communities or natural resources.
Throughout her campaign, Haaland has said she is has committed to putting people over profit and reining in unfettered development, continuing her record as a leader who stands up for New Mexicans.
SUPPPORT FOR MORITORIUM EMERGES
The Democratic Party of New Mexico and the energy savings nonprofit Prosperity Works came out in support of Haaland’s call for a statewide moratorium on data centers.
New Mexico House Democrats said in a statement members of the caucus have been working on legislation to address concerns about the impact of data centers on land, water and communities and said this: .
“We look forward to working with our next governor, along with our legislative colleagues and community members, to establish the policies and guardrails necessary to protect our people, our water, and our environment.”
The Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club also applauded Haaland’s announcement on a moratorium, saying data centers could erase New Mexico’s progress on curbing climate change and Chapter President Camilla Feibelman said this in a statement: .
“We support a moratorium on data centers until serious and enforceable guardrails are in place.”
MEDIA QUESTIONS HAALAND OVER CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM PROJECT JUPITER
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Haaland’s campaign received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions tied to Project Jupiter. A recent campaign finance report shows that an Oracle Corp. subsidiary, the software company behind Project Jupiter, donated $12,400 to Haaland’s campaign. According to financial reports filed with the N.M. Secretary of State, Haaland’s campaign raised more than $3.4 million. Haaland’s campaign also accepted three $12,400 contributions, the maximum allowed, from Oracle America and Oracle executives Clayton Magouyrk and Michael Sicilia, totaling $37,200.
According to an article by The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, the $37,200 in contributions were part of at least $87,200 Haaland received from Oracle America and people whose names, jobs and addresses match top leadership at Oracle and Clayco, the firm building Project Jupiter. The article identified $12,400 from Oracle America and at least $74,800 more from people connected to the two companies.
KOB 4 reporter Blake Troli asked Haaland this during the press conference:
“How do you assure voters that this will be a fair process in holding project Jupiter accountable”
Haaland answered the question as follows:
“Thank you so much for the question and let me be the first person to say, elections are entirely too expensive. … I wish I didn’t have to raise as much money as I do just to protect New Mexicans and have a better New Mexico for everyone. But I believe that I can walk and chew gum at the same time. … If I’m elected governor my first priority is for every New Mexican is to make sure that are communities are safe, healthy, that they can move forward.
Under my leadership, New Mexicans will not hand over our water, our land or our power in order to enrich big business. … Industry in our state must be sustainable, supporting investment, creating opportunity and opening doors for New Mexicans.”
Haaland essentially said she has the ability to balance the needs of New Mexicans without being swayed or influenced by data center contributions.
The full exchange can be viewed here.
Haaland said she would discuss with her campaign how to move forward with donations, adding that she “cannot be bowled over” by the donations.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE GREGG HULL’S POSITION ON DATA CENTERS
Democrat Haaland’s stance on data centers is in sharp contrast to that of Republican gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull. When contacted by news outlets for a reaction to Haaland’s proposed moratorium, Republican Candidate for Governor Gregg Hull said he does not support a statewide moratorium on data centers.
Hull said he believes decisions on projects should be left to counties and communities. However, Hull said in an interview, he would support legislative action ensuring taxpayers and ratepayers don’t face increases because of data center water use. Hull said this:
“I don’t think you have to send a message that New Mexico is closed for business, but at the same point in time, we do have to safeguard resources …. If there’s anybody that understands the water demand in the state of New Mexico, it’s me.”
Gregg Hull supports legislation to protect water and electric rates, including a ban on using potable water and requiring data centers to pay for their own electrical infrastructure. Hull said this:
“I would never support allowing a mega company to come into the state and raise utility rates, so they could have the energy they need. … Each of these deals has to be evaluated on its own merit. … If you do a statewide moratorium then that sends the message that we’re not even open for discussion. … As being a former mayor, I like to believe that our communities have the intelligence to make these decisions on their own.”
In an Albuquerque Journal candidate questionnaire, Hull said this:
“I support real water and energy accountability, with limits set project-by-project based on local infrastructure capacity, not one-size-fits-all rules from Santa Fe. … I support guardrails, not block walls.”
Hull said he would tie electric and water protections to state business incentives for projects before any such water or electric legislation is in effect. Hull argued without such incentives, the data centers likely wouldn’t want to set up shop in New Mexico.
HULL BLASTS HAALAND’S PRESS CONFERENCE AS “DAMAGE CONTROL”
The Hull campaign blasted Haaland’s press conference as “damage control,” while a spokesperson said Hull has not accepted or solicited donations from “big data” companies. The Hull campaign pointed to campaign finance reports and accused Haaland of taking multiple donations totalling over $87,000 from entities associated with Project Jupiter.
Republican Gregg Hull said this:
“My opponent’s call for a moratorium on data centers is suspicious considering it comes two days after it was discovered that she took nearly $100,000 from Oracle and Project Jupiter executives. … She was caught with her hand in the cookie jar and this press conference was just an attempt to do damage control.”
HAALAND’S AND HULL’S CAMPAIGN CONTTIBUTIONS
On September 16, the Albquerquerqu Journal reported that the Deb Haaland campaign for Governor raised more than $3.4 million during a two-month-plus time period that began in late June and ended late August. The recent fundraising means the former U.S. Interior secretary has raised an unprecedented $17.3 million since launching her campaign in February 2025 and her campaign has spent roughly $13.9 million of that amount. Among the campaign contributions shown in Haaland’s latest report was the $12,400 on August 26 from Oracle America, the California-based software company behind the controversial Project Jupiter data center campus in southern New Mexico.
Republican general election opponent Gregg Hull has struggled to keep up with Haaland’s fundraising. The GOP nominee reported having received more than $943,000 in contributions during the recent reporting period, which came after he won a three-way Republican primary race. Those contributions included donations from several current and former GOP legislators. He also received several large donations from oil and gas companies operating in New Mexico, including $12,400 from a political committee affiliated with the Merrion Oil & Gas Co. in Farmington. Since officially launching his campaign for governor in October, the former Rio Rancho mayor has raised nearly $1.9 million and spent roughly $1.4 million. Hull has a roughly $500,000 left to spend on the remaining g weeks of the campaign.
With a mere 6 weeks before the November 3 general election, Deb Haaland has a minimum $3.4 Million while Gregg Hull has $503,000 remaining to spend on their campaigns. It’s likely both candidates will raise even more and spend more over the next six weeks.
The link to the quoted and relied upon news source is here:
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
THE DATA CENTER DEBATE
Halland’s proposed statewide moratorium on data centers comes amid rising national political pressure over data centers. There are more than 20 data centers in New Mexico, and further proposals are springing up as some counties, including Santa Fe County, opt to adopt their own moratoriums. In early September, residents and environmental advocacy groups in Grant County decried an apparent proposal, which appeared as a legal notice in a local newspaper, to build a data center at the county’s rural southern edge.
New Mexico would not be the first state in the nation to place a temporary pause on data centers. Sixteen other states, including Delaware, Michigan and South Carolina, have proposed moratoriums until certain expectations have been met. Only New York and Virginia have successfully passed legislation.
In Virginia, data center projects will be halted until specific requests have been fulfilled or until July 2028, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order that pauses further development on hyperscale projects for one year while lawmakers create more regulatory framework.
The Project Jupiter data center in southern New Mexico has become very controversial. In July, a skirmish broke out during a Doña Ana County Commission meeting that ended with three opponents of the data center being arrested and charged with misdemeanors.
A recent Journal poll found that 65% of respondents opposed the development of large-scale data centers, while 20% were supportive.
Supporters of data centers say the projects will make New Mexico a more lucrative state and create more job opportunities for residents. Opponents of data centers say the facilities are dangerous to the environment.
It is more likely than not that Haaland as Governor she will get support for her moratorium plan in the 2027 New Mexico Legislature. In July, four Democratic lawmakers proposed a data center moratorium, though critics said it could send a harmful economic message.
Deb Haaland’s proposed statewide moratorium on data Centers is reasonable and responsible given the fact that New Mexico’s natural resources and water resources are very limited, the state is in a drought and the current national opposition that is emerging against data center development.
HAALAND CAMPAIGN SHOULD RETURN PROJECT JUPITER CONTRIBUTIONS
Democrat Deb Haaland was severely criticized by many on social media, by political observers, political gossip columnists, MAGA Republicans and so called Socialist Democrats for having accepted $87,000 in campaign contributions from Project Jupiter data center developers while she claimed those same developers would not influence her policy. Republican opponent Gregg Hull could not resist getting into the act saying Haaland did something wrong. Hull said Haaland’s call for a moratorium on data centers was “suspicious” because it came within days after the Santa Fe New Mexican reported the Haaland Campaign took donations from Oracle and Project Jupiter executives. Hull went so far as to make the outlandish claim that Haaland “was caught with her hand in the cookie jar.”
If Project Jupiter data center developers were expecting preferential treatment from Haaland for their donations, they sure the hell did not get it from Haaland in the form of her proposed moratorium, which still could impact them. Haaland has raised over $17 Million to run for Governor, still has $3.4 million to spend and will likely raise and spend even more while Hull has a paltry $503,000 remaining to spend.
The Project Jupiter data center developer donations to Haaland are nothing more than a distraction from the discussion of a very serious issue of data centers and their impact on New Mexico. In order to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interests or the accusation of impropriety or preferential treatment, the Haaland campaign should return the $87,000 in campaign contributions from Project Jupiter data center developers.
Links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here: