Heath Haussamen
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Following news that Project Jupiter’s developers plan to use more water than previously disclosed, Doña Ana County commissioners voted Tuesday to launch an investigation.
“I think we need to get facts, do our due diligence to truly investigate what is going on,” Commissioner Susana Chaparro said during Tuesday’s meeting.
All five commissioners voted in favor of a resolution that directs County Manager Scott Andrews and two commissioners to communicate with the developers. They’re charged with determining whether Project Jupiter’s plans related to water use or anything else have changed.
The resolution also directs Andrews and commissioners to “Identify paths forward to minimize the impact of any proposed changes to water usage” and protect the economic benefits. Those who meet with Project Jupiter’s developers will report back at a public meeting of the commission to ensure county residents stay in the loop.
In expressing her support for the resolution, Commissioner Gloria Gameros said the county needs better communication from the four companies behind Project Jupiter — BorderPlex Digital Assets, Stack Infrastructure, Oracle and OpenAI.
“We definitely want to make sure that we are holding the companies accountable,” she said.
Commission Chairman Manuel Sanchez agreed. “I look forward to hopefully having more fruitful conversations with our partners in Project Jupiter,” he said at the meeting.
‘We just don’t have enough information’
Last week, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the campus of advanced artificial intelligence data centers that’s being built in Santa Teresa plans to use nearly 1 million gallons of water per day, with most of it devoted to two gas-fired power plants. The newspaper cited the N.M. Office of the State Engineer (OSE) as the source for that claim.
That number sparked forceful reactions because it’s nearly 50 times more than had been disclosed publicly by the developers. If true, it would also conflict with county officials’ understanding of Project Jupiter’s water use.
The OSE told me that number came from “an informal conversation” with a Project Jupiter attorney. The developers have refused to confirm or deny that number for me.
However, my reporting did lead Oracle to confirm that the developers plan to use non-potable water piped in from a nearby sod farm for their power plants, even if they won’t say how much.
That’s in addition to the average 20,000 daily gallons they plan to draw from the area’s water utility for employee use, according to Oracle’s statement. County officials have insisted that 20,000 gallon daily limit, which is in legally binding agreements with the developers, covers all daily use, including the power plants.
So Oracle’s statement to me understandably led to quick action from commissioners. They are trying to determine whether the developers’ planned water use would violate their legal agreements.
County Attorney Cari Neill said at Tuesday’s meeting that she can’t answer that question. “Quite frankly, we just don’t have enough information,” she told commissioners.
‘Thank you for moving forward with this’
Last week’s revelations about water use didn’t lead to people filling the commission chambers for Tuesday’s meeting. Thirteen people spoke about Project Jupiter during public input on Tuesday. While not insignificant, that’s far short of the number that showed up when commissioners voted 4-1 to grant the developers tax breaks last fall.
A handful of folks have shown up consistently over months to blast county commissioners for supporting Project Jupiter. They struck a different tone this time.
“Thank you for moving forward with this today,” said Neeshia Macanowicz of Las Cruces, an outspoken opponent of Project Jupiter.
Zac Egan of Las Cruces, another critic, urged commissioners to take the issue of water use “very seriously,” saying the developers have demonstrated “that they are willing to hide information, or bend numbers, or omit information.”
In another sign that they are taking it seriously, commissioners met behind closed doors with their attorneys on Tuesday to discuss possible litigation related to their agreements with the developers of data-center campus.
Ferrary switches sides
Project Jupiter has divided local elected officials, with some vocally supporting it and others vehemently opposing it. But since The New Mexican broke the story about Project Jupiter’s water use last week, most have been united in their call for the developers to detail their water use-plans.
Among them are state Rep. Sarah Silva, a supporter, who called for the developers to “explain this situation publicly and fully,” and Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, an opponent, who said, “New Mexicans deserve to understand the real impact, from the jobs to the emissions to the water usage.”
On Tuesday they were joined by Rep. Joanne Ferrary. “I’m glad that the county is going to try and hold Project Jupiter accountable for the things that they promised,” she told me.
Ferrary authored a commentary last fall, along with Silva and Rep. Nathan Small, in support of Project Jupiter. On Tuesday she said she’s now an opponent.
That’s in part because of the developers’ plans to use natural gas to power the data centers instead of a less-polluting energy source. It’s also because of the new revelation that Project Jupiter will use more water than previously disclosed. She said the developers have not been honest.
Still, Ferrary said the developers might win her back — if they affirm that they will meet their legal commitments to the county, recommit to the low water use county officials believe they promised, and change their power plans to significantly reduce emissions.
Small, meanwhile, who has vocally supported Project Jupiter since the governor announced it in February 2025, has yet to comment publicly on the developers’ shifting statements about water use.
AN ASK: I’ve worked tirelessly to watchdog Project Jupiter since the beginning. If you value such journalism, please, support my work by making a donation or signing up to make monthly contributions. Thank you!
DISCLOSURES: State Rep. Sarah Silva, a supporter of Project Jupiter, is my spouse. And state Rep. Nathan Small, another supporter, performed our wedding.
