New Mexico county moves to halt data centers as town fights project over water fears

The Socorro County Board of Commissioners in New Mexico approved a process to consider a temporary moratorium on data centers following widespread public opposition to a proposed 10,000-acre facility. The project, announced by Green Data CEO Jason Bak in March, aims to be New Mexico’s largest data center in partnership with New Mexico Tech, relying on solar and nuclear power for energy. Residents raised concerns about the facility’s potential impact on local water supplies, utility affordability, and public health, prompting over 1,000 signatures on one petition and more than 4,000 on another opposing the development. The village of Magdalena’s elected officials unanimously approved a resolution against the data center and its related solar project, amplifying local resistance. The county’s decision to explore a moratorium comes after public meetings and feedback collection, signaling a potential shift toward more transparent and community-driven decision-making. Officials emphasized the need to assess whether such large-scale projects benefit residents or merely serve external interests. State Sen. Harold Pope warned that unchecked development could become ‘the new extractive industry,’ while local candidate Cari Powell stressed the importance of local control over economic decisions. The move reflects broader concerns about balancing technological growth with environmental and community priorities in New Mexico.