Commissioner reports on statutory-amendment work and raises data center concerns

Commissioner Criswell reported on a recent commission-affiliate meeting in Albuquerque where delegates reviewed statutory amendments that were primarily wording cleanups. Criswell said the affiliate unanimously approved carrying the legislation forward; he identified two substantive items: expanding membership on an advisory board to include probate judges and allowing statutory mediation to reduce litigation costs. He said the draft changes were intended to clarify language that had produced disputes and lawsuits in the past.

Criswell also reported from his role with the National Association of Counties' Energy, Environment, Land Use (EELU) committee. He said the association again presented opposition to the Natural Interest Transmission Corridor to the NACO conference and flagged concerns about data centers, including a cited incident where battery storage fires reportedly contaminated a county water source elsewhere. "When the batteries caught on fire, it contaminated their water, their water source in their county," he said, urging caution and recommending counties adopt land-use rules that prevent data centers being allowed by right.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 559 excerpt: "We had our statutory amendments meeting in Albuquerque..." topfinish SEG 770 excerpt: "I think that would be imperative for everybody to go to so we can find out where we're at on that."