[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6131920,"mediaKeyId","5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413","parentId",5727719,"title","El Paso Electric and regional partners outline power, grid and workforce needs for data center and industrial growth","audioSeconds",4345,"startMs",4852000,"endMs",9197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413&start=4852&end=9197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413/thumbnail_4852000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6131920/New-Mexico/El-Paso-Electric-and-regional-partners-outline-power-grid-and-workforce-needs-for-data-center-and-industrial-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131920-14e35d576c7aedf2b1f5564c437bb41a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775195795&Signature=LNQyOTpkjYMcgWhTRKpmHbKKYNnKZ1837XiY13w4JmBYVH9YrAr7eK3OL01D5UcAqkuGYLFkDnEWR118bWZMYtxrbEEX5qrDsiypfRHZSlNo46fgODRMK3OE83eNvAaGs2ut6oxent3QdaQ57zeW5P79sCX2hj-PwqeqhgmnSdffxiIgp6xJ0~cFBkFDi0ju151TWQc606Rx4D6gBI-vKwCNn-V~idUZu3bk6xInXQJ12ra4E37OAzCmAcKGNRbSPj94pNnin72Dhh2-GKNCyRRYcTHA0lUTZu9ELHj~zpzPAoQMNppR-3iv70LiWo1te46UuhTqpN8fSpLVxQrJeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","El Paso Electric, Borderplex Digital and the Public Regulation Commission briefed the Legislative Finance Committee during a field visit on the energy and regulatory changes necessary to support large new loads such as data centers and advanced manufacturing in southern New Mexico.

\"There's no way to do it without power infrastructure,\" said Kelly Tomlin, president and CEO of El Paso Electric, describing large commercial customers as a means to change the region's customer mix and generate tax and economic benefits. Tomlin said the company has committed funds to economic development and described large loads as a driver for new transmission and generation investment.

Why it matters: Panelists described a national increase in power demand from AI, data centers and electrification and said the state and utilities must combine faster regulatory decision-making, targeted transmission investments and modern grid technology to bring additional generation and deliver it reliably.

Regulatory and planning updates: Choi Acori, chief of staff for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, said the PRC has reduced average case decision time by roughly 40% (from about 212 days in 2023 to about 129 days in 2024–present) and is creating in-house modeling and grid-modernization capacity to give the state an independent planning capability. She also said the PRC will press forward on statute-level updates to give the commission more operational flexibility.

Cost recovery and consumer protections: Committee members pressed for clarity on who pays for new generation and transmission. Acori and Tomlin described a range of possible contracting and cost-allocation approaches: a new line extension or substation can be underwritten by the customer that requires it, or a utility may demonstrate a system-wide need and recover costs across its rate base subject to PRC review. \"Data centers have not pushed back on how much it costs,\" Tomlin said in response to a committee question about commercial expectations; she added that timing is often the principal constraint for customers.

Workforce and community benefits: Lanham Napier of Borderplex Digital said modern data centers and related campuses create a range of jobs. He provided pay ranges for operations and technical roles in data centers and argued that training programs with local colleges and high schools can move residents into higher-paying roles without four-year degrees. \"Level 1 would be $80,000 to $100,000 a year,\" Napier said as an example for entry-level operations positions; higher technical roles can pay substantially more.

Ending: Panelists urged the committee to weigh regulatory, permitting and funding options that accelerate projects while protecting consumers and to coordinate state, county and local investments in transmission, water and workforce training so the region can capture near-term opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Finance Aug 19, 2025 1:32 PM - 4:06 PM","oneSentenceSummary","El Paso Electric, Borderplex Digital and the Public Regulation Commission told the Legislative Finance Committee that attracting data centers and advanced manufacturing will require new generation, transmission and grid modernization, together with workforce training and consumer-protection terms for cost recovery.","taxTitle","Legislative Finance, Interim, Committees, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",65385,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6131925,"County and city officials say desalination, water rights and sewer upgrades are essential before housing and industrial expansion",302,2491000,2793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413&start=2491&end=2793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413/thumbnail_2491000.jpg","/articles/6131925/New-Mexico/County-and-city-officials-say-desalination-water-rights-and-sewer-upgrades-are-essential-before-housing-and-industrial-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131925-a6a920be92a1f5dd2495ce67bedafc54/orig.mp4?Expires=1775195795&Signature=UOjigAiqsYUTEeVUHiiNJFXJISmMMvYnQDrcUkr5d9ECk8uLsZzND1zmmpLgDJZsDOmTFZrLV8SVQW9le6V~ZjKd-auyz0tFcrmDmTLHJoiWOYTvRSOwn7OjuAPxTvsMBY4kqSAoSjXTKkXzWzprYLbtS-y4e-Pl3vq6PV246UlyiTsNCpnQfr8dda9trr3Wql~sFX~PeidgGaXvqTuceOH4z9P9Yvp5C9g7as50s9kY6H5Ndhu6KCuHR6f6st-JwYq2iTudcUGcCxgHVO8wogjxQ8fAQT4tXNrJnhXtFq3NIxh9Tkd5MmUCjB-pSKdY85G7TS9urR11ZM2N8T~rMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dona Ana County and Sunland Park officials told the Legislative Finance Committee during a field hearing that water supply and wastewater capacity are the principal constraints to doubling residential development and sustaining industrial growth in the Santa Teresa area.

The most immediate work, officials said, is an open request for information (RFI) for potential desalination or brackish-water treatment partners. \"We have a current RFI out on the street right now. It will be closing within a week or so,\" Jonathan Macias, assistant county manager for Dona Ana County, told the committee. The county and its engineering partners are evaluating brackish desalination options and have engaged Wilson and Company for engineering analysis.

Why it matters: Presenters and local officials repeatedly cautioned the committee that water is the limiting factor for both housing and industry. Sunland Park and county speakers provided early figures: the city currently owns about 3,600 acre-feet per year within its service area and a hypothetical 11,000-dwelling-unit residential development would need roughly 1,500–1,800 acre-feet per year.

What officials told the committee: City and county presenters said available municipal water rights are not fully used today but that new large developments and industrial demand would require supplemental sources and treatment. The county's RFI is intended to attract global operators to evaluate brackish desalination that could supply industrial customers, the port of entry and residential growth. City officials noted some groundwater in the area contains arsenic that affects treatment choices.

Process, uncertainties and next steps: Speakers said Wilson and Company and other consultants are producing engineering needs, capacity and cost analyses; those technical studies must be completed before precise gallons-per-day capacities or cost estimates can be provided. \"Those numbers are yet not known,\" Jonathan Macias told the committee when asked for a rough capacity and cost estimate; he said the county is matching potential corporate interest to expected industrial water demand before producing final figures.

Ending: Officials asked the committee to consider timing and funding approaches for water and wastewater projects and to coordinate state resources with county and municipal plans so projects can move from RFI and design into funded construction if partners are identified.","Officials told the committee a desalination or brackish-water treatment solution, clarified water rights and targeted wastewater upgrades will be required to sustain planned housing and industrial growth around Sunland Park and Santa Teresa; RFI and engineering work are under way but capacity and cost estimates are not yet final.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6131930,"Santa Teresa industrial base draws new investment; report outlines water, road and drainage gaps",1231,644000,1875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413&start=644&end=1875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5727719-4626b87b28afc08f3812bd6b9cb87413/thumbnail_644000.jpg","/articles/6131930/New-Mexico/Santa-Teresa-industrial-base-draws-new-investment-report-outlines-water-road-and-drainage-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131930-10a534dd3112780e3f08b8917594c7d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775195795&Signature=de76INUK6DxYVzuTR7ndC5131B9PC3--yC3OJalffEfzhb78K2HXWODH1Q6iKRJqvIzRikCZZLI1BsxmYURCXvFaNJkiXZbD30D~OlmwPF8a8lJ7TazodiSKD2DStO52KSr1BFbmiohzF6mUiLDYUt7SxZqMxK5nEtemuf2-AzkIcJ5fYYEtvVSlgno0FJe94pRynpanCbYNrsmPPNIN0Mwd7Rfh7u9f3AQ~xqwO55guJQPjanwfxRDR7VV3Q5KDTi5fhSbVh3AhMLQHgdQ9lvrQdgTE5BxTByNczO2T~UbqNT8hVQR9a~lUXB32WGnhB1JYN5IBlDJ88JvWsbEwwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sunland Park and regional economic development leaders told the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee on a field visit that Santa Teresa’s industrial base has become a major exporter for the state, but continued expansion requires substantial infrastructure investments.

The Santa Teresa industrial area now supports roughly 7,000 jobs and accounted for the largest percentage increase in border cargo value last year among U.S.–Mexico crossing points, according to speakers who summarized a regional strategic infrastructure assessment and an updated economic-impact study. \"We do about $2,000,000,000 a year in terms of revenue to the state's economy,\" said Jerry Pacheco, representing the Border Industrial Association and the New Mexico International Business Accelerator, during the presentation.

Why it matters: Committee members were shown a planning study that models two scenarios — a \"halted\" scenario in which infrastructure constraints stop growth, and a \"continued growth\" scenario that assumes investments in water, wastewater, transportation and drainage. Authors and local officials said the difference between those scenarios is measured in lost jobs and lost capital investment; the report identifies specific projects and annual funding needs to reach the higher-growth outcome.

Key findings and near-term projects: Presenters described a set of assets that make Santa Teresa competitive — an intermodal Union Pacific container facility, a jetport that recently added cargo capability, a port of entry with high-value trade, foreign-trade zone status, and multiple industrial parks. Joe Dela Rosa of the New Mexico Border Authority said the border-highway connector is about 90% designed and could reduce travel times from the airport to the industrial area from roughly 20 minutes to about eight minutes if constructed in early 2026.

Water and wastewater capacity and drainage emerged repeatedly as gating items. Dr. Kramer Whittington, who the panel identified as the report author, told the committee the economic model assumes continued employment growth at a compound annual rate observed since 2019 (cited as roughly 18.5% annually) and that that level of growth requires securing additional water and wastewater capacity and related infrastructure.

Missed opportunities and competition: Panelists said several large projects pursued site visits to Santa Teresa but located elsewhere, citing infrastructure constraints, lack of inventory, regulatory uncertainty and workforce considerations. Dela Rosa said the region lost an estimated 1,990 jobs and more than $2.7 billion in capital investment across eight projects the team tracked.

Local capacity and planned responses: County and city officials described public–private partnerships, spec building activity and recruitment of large manufacturers. Jerry Pacheco said spec developers are active and that Santa Teresa hosts hundreds of firms supplying electronics and automotive components. County and city officials and the Border Authority said they are coordinating a larger strategic plan and updating design work for roads and drainage to support additional industrial park construction.

Ending: Presenters left the committee with a request to align state investments and timing with the projects identified in the Santa Teresa strategic infrastructure assessment so that the region can capture near-term opportunities as other nearby crossings prepare for operational changes.","Local leaders and researchers told the Legislative Finance Committee during a field visit that Santa Teresa’s industrial parks and port of entry have driven billions in trade and thousands of jobs, but growth now depends on targeted investments in water, wastewater, roads and drainage plus faster site-ready infrastructure.","actionData","errors"]

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El Paso Electric and regional partners outline power, grid and workforce needs for data center and industrial growth

County and city officials say desalination, water rights and sewer upgrades are essential before housing and industrial expansion

Santa Teresa industrial base draws new investment; report outlines water, road and drainage gaps