Dona Ana County publishes notice for Project Jupiter hearing as residents raise water, air and health concerns

Dona Ana County commissioners on Sept. 9 authorized publication of a notice of hearing under the Local Economic Development Act to consider reduced permit fees for Project Jupiter, a proposed large data center and microgrid project that has drawn sustained community opposition.

Project Jupiter supporters and opponents have held public information sessions in the region. At the commission meeting, multiple residents and local advocates urged the county to reject the project or require more study and stronger guarantees for community protections. Daisy Maldonado, director of the Empowerment Congress, told the commission that "those claims are not facts," saying the companies’ economic promises were unproven and that Project Jupiter’s proposals may ask New Mexicans to give land, water and tax breaks while others take the profit.

Why it matters: Project Jupiter would be built in the county’s southern industrial area near Santa Teresa and Sunland Park. Residents and community groups told the commission they fear long‑term impacts on an area already facing water quality and air‑pollution problems and that decisions about incentives and permits could affect public health, local water supplies and tax revenues.

Residents and organizations who spoke described a range of concerns. Giovanni Sebastian Hernandez, a District 1 resident, said the project’s public sessions revealed plans to use gas turbines: "they're planning to use gas turbines to power their, their facility," and he warned those emissions would be trapped in the Mesilla Valley. Abigail Saluk Sougan, who spoke during public input, pressed the commission on the project’s water and energy needs and asked the board to guarantee three minutes per speaker at future hearings. Jose Saldana and Carolina Veil described local histories of contamination, water scarcity and health problems in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, and asked commissioners to deny the project.

The commission’s action on Sept. 9 was limited: it approved only the publication of a notice of hearing and general summary required by the Local Economic Development Act, not final approval of incentives or permits. Denise Carter, the county economic development director, told the board the vote was "only for approving the notice of hearing, not approving the incentive itself." Commissioners set the tentative hearing date under the required notice period for Oct. 14, 2025.

Commission debate and vote: Commissioners moved and seconded the item and approved publication of the notice. Vice Chair Chaparro voted "no" on the motion; the other commissioners voted in favor. The county attorney and staff said the step begins the formal public hearing process required before any local incentives would be granted.

What residents asked the commission to do: speakers pressed the board to (1) extend public‑comment time to three minutes at the Oct. 14 hearing; (2) require project documentation on water and electricity use and lifecycle energy sources (several speakers said they had not seen clear estimates); (3) rule out certain power sources or require mitigation if fossil fuels will be used; and (4) negotiate community benefits or safeguards into any agreement. Several speakers also complained about county staff and developer outreach and urged the commission to defer any incentive decision until the county has full data and community agreements.

Officials’ response and next steps: County staff and the economic development office said the publishing step simply begins the formal notice period required by state law; the hearing would be held later where the commission will consider public testimony and a formal request for incentive approval. Staff also noted that publication is not final approval and that further hearings, environmental reviews and negotiations would precede any permits or incentives.

Ending: The county’s action on Sept. 9 starts the statutory notice and hearing process required under the Local Economic Development Act. It does not authorize tax relief or fee reductions; those decisions would require later public hearings and a separate vote. Community groups who oppose the project said they will continue to press the commission, and the county’s economic development office said it will bring the matter back for formal consideration after the public‑notice period.