Santa Teresa, N.M. – New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced that his office will support two emergency petitions that claim state agencies violated due‑process protections while approving key components of Oracle’s massive Project Jupiter data center. The petitions, filed in late August, target the State Engineer’s Office and the State Environment Department, accusing each of sidestepping established procedures.
Petitions allege procedural shortcuts
The first petition asserts that the State Engineer’s Office fast‑tracked an application to repurpose an agricultural well for industrial use, a move the petitioners say bypassed the normal review timeline. The second petition focuses on the Environment Department’s handling of an air‑quality permit hearing for the methane fuel cells that will power the data center. Petitioners claim the department ignored its own rules, denying the public a fair opportunity to comment.
Attorney General’s rationale
Torrez explained his office’s involvement by citing “serious concerns about violations of due process and lack of, frankly, regular order” in how the applications moved through state agencies. He added, “We have the same set of rules and the same process for everyone who’s moving something like this through our system. It cannot be tainted or impacted in any way by a big company, a company with political connections or lots of money and resources.”
State agencies push back
The New Mexico Environment Department responded Wednesday night, accusing the petitioners of misrepresenting the law and cherry‑picking facts. A department spokesperson said the agency will respect the Supreme Court’s direction on the filings and any scheduled public hearing.
Similarly, the Office of the State Engineer issued a statement defending its procedures. The office noted that the water right in question has been permitted for sales to construction projects in the Santa Teresa area for decades, and that its administrative hearings provide robust due‑process protections. The agency pledged a full and fair hearing for any challenges.
Project Jupiter’s broader controversy
Oracle’s Project Jupiter, a multi‑billion‑dollar data center near the U.S.–Mexico border, has drawn criticism from lawmakers and community members over its power source and water consumption. Representative Melanie Stansbury recently raised concerns about the transparency of a water‑rights transfer tied to the project, emphasizing the public’s right to ask questions and contest such transfers.
While the petitions focus on procedural issues, the underlying debate reflects broader worries about large‑scale tech facilities consuming scarce water and energy resources in a region already facing drought conditions. Critics argue that without strict oversight, projects like Jupiter could strain local supplies and set a precedent for future developments.
Next steps
The petitions are now before the New Mexico Supreme Court, which will decide whether to order a hearing on the alleged due‑process violations. The Attorney General’s office will continue to monitor the case and advocate for adherence to state rules.
Oracle has not yet issued a comment on the pending legal challenges.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
