Why Las Cruces’ union workers want Project Jupiter

The New Mexico Supreme Court just rejected efforts from activist groups that would have halted Project Jupiter in its tracks. The data center now has a green light, and the unions in our state will be the first to benefit.

Those of us building this facility can finally move forward without any more costly delays.

As a union tradesman, I see this court ruling as a win for those who actually build here in New Mexico.

For workers like me, the debate over Project Jupiter is ultimately about whether our state can create enough opportunities for those who want to build careers and families here.

For years, New Mexico has suffered from brain drain. Too many of our people graduate and have no other choice but to leave our state to find a good job. They take their talents — and their tax dollars — with them. 

Since 2010, roughly 19,000 people have packed and left New Mexico. If we want our communities to thrive, this exodus has to stop.

Project Jupiter will create about 7,000 construction jobs. Seven hundred local residents are already on the clock, giving them a means to pay their mortgages, feed their families, keep up with car payments, and spend money right here in Doña Ana County.

Beyond just temporary work, Project Jupiter includes dedicated training programs that will equip local workers with lifelong skills. 

The project will create 1,500 long-term jobs, allowing more workers to stay in New Mexico. Project Jupiter means steady work for local truck drivers, electricians, plumbers, and suppliers. It will boost business at local restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Project Jupiter will also generate hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues, providing a massive funding boost for our public schools and infrastructure. 

It is already delivering real results, bringing in nearly $80 million in local and state tax dollars so far. It is expected to bring in a total investment of $165 billion, including $360 million for our schools and public infrastructure, at a time when we desperately need to upgrade our classrooms and roads.

This growth is hugely promising, and our state can manage it responsibly.

New Mexico should hold Project Jupiter to strict environmental and regulatory standards. Our permitting process can ensure that the project is built safely. Our regulators can measure Project Jupiter’s water use and emissions against strict legal standards. 

The data center plans to use non-potable water, consuming only about as much water as nine typical New Mexico homes use in a year. It will derive energy from advanced Bloom fuel cells to cut harmful nitrogen oxide emissions by an estimated 92 percent compared to the original blueprint.

The site will initially run on natural gas, but the long-term plan is to transition to a completely self-funded and clean microgrid by 2045.

Doña Ana County’s elected officials approved Project Jupiter in a 4-1 vote, and the permitting board was set to finalize the decision. However, a small group of outside activists disrupted the public hearings — even showing up in clown costumes —and pressured the permitting official into stepping down. 

This began a lengthy legal battle. For over a year, lawyers and radicals have tried to overturn a decision made by our local elected officials. At its core, this is a struggle between workers who want jobs and community leaders who want growth versus a loud minority determined to stop progress.

It’s time for state environmental experts to finish reviewing the project’s impact on our air and water. We need to let regulators do their jobs so that local workers, businesses, and investors know it’s okay to plan for their futures.

New Mexico has already waited more than a year for the opportunities provided by Project Jupiter. The people who live and work here deserve to finally see the project approved.

Brian Fresquez is a skilled plumber and a member of Local 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union (Las Cruces).