{"id":81308,"date":"2026-06-14T08:45:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-mexico-county-approves-massive-data-center-then-has-second-thoughts\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T08:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:45:42","slug":"new-mexico-county-approves-massive-data-center-then-has-second-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-mexico-county-approves-massive-data-center-then-has-second-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico County Approves Massive Data Center, Then Has Second Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781441141804.png?resize=1%2C1&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-81307\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>A county in the New Mexico borderlands, eager for economic opportunity, approved what would be one of the largest data centers in the entire country \u2014 complete with its own gas-powered electricity plant. But now that the deal is done, some are wishing they had thought twice.<\/p><p>The region, which has long sought ways to bring jobs and investment to its struggling economy, saw the massive data center project as a potential lifeline. Officials moved forward with approval, hoping the development would deliver the economic boost the area desperately needs.<\/p><p>However, a sense of buyer&#8217;s remorse has begun to set in. Questions are now being raised about whether the benefits of the project are worth the trade-offs that come with hosting such a large facility \u2014 including the gas-fired power plant that will be built to keep it running.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A rural New Mexico county along the border, hungry for economic growth, gave the green light to one of the largest data centers in the United States. The facility would come with its own natural gas power plant. Now, some in the community are having regrets about the decision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":81307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[834],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781441141804.png?fit=1%2C1&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-l9q","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40229,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/federal-officials-unveil-massive-ai-data-center-at-former-ohio-nuclear-site\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":0},"title":"Federal Officials Unveil Massive AI Data Center at Former Ohio Nuclear Site","author":"Admin","date":"March 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Trump administration announced plans for a massive artificial intelligence data center at a former uranium enrichment facility in southern Ohio. The project will include 10 gigawatts of data processing capacity and new natural gas power plants, backed by $33.3 billion in Japanese investment.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Science&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Science","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/science\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774039133208.jpg?fit=1000%2C616&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774039133208.jpg?fit=1000%2C616&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774039133208.jpg?fit=1000%2C616&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774039133208.jpg?fit=1000%2C616&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49367,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/massive-data-center-demand-threatens-state-clean-energy-goals-nationwide\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":1},"title":"Massive Data Center Demand Threatens State Clean Energy Goals Nationwide","author":"Admin","date":"April 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Utilities across the country are struggling to meet renewable energy targets as data centers powering artificial intelligence create unprecedented electricity demand. Nevada's largest utility says it needs triple the power of Las Vegas just for proposed data centers, potentially forcing reliance on fossil fuels.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Science&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Science","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/science\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775709681051.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775709681051.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775709681051.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775709681051.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45408,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/tech-giant-microsoft-partners-with-energy-companies-for-7b-power-plant-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":2},"title":"Tech Giant Microsoft Partners with Energy Companies for $7B Power Plant Deal","author":"Admin","date":"March 31, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Microsoft has entered an exclusive agreement with Chevron and investment firm Engine No. 1 to secure power for its expanding data centers. The partnership involves a proposed $7 billion natural gas power plant in West Texas that would generate electricity for artificial intelligence services.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Business&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1775002918793.jpg?fit=450%2C253&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":43502,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/microsoft-steps-in-after-openai-abandons-texas-ai-data-center-expansion\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":3},"title":"Microsoft Steps In After OpenAI Abandons Texas AI Data Center Expansion","author":"Admin","date":"March 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Microsoft will take control of a massive artificial intelligence data center project in Texas that OpenAI decided not to pursue. The tech giant plans to build two new facilities next to OpenAI's existing complex in Abilene, creating one of America's largest AI computing hubs.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Science&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Science","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/science\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774636656140.jpg?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774636656140.jpg?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774636656140.jpg?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774636656140.jpg?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27327,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/environmental-group-blocked-from-investigating-metas-27b-louisiana-data-center-project\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":4},"title":"Environmental Group Blocked from Investigating Meta&#8217;s $27B Louisiana Data Center Project","author":"Admin","date":"February 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Louisiana utility regulators have rejected an environmental organization's request to examine a massive Meta data center project. The group warned that changes to the financing structure could leave local residents paying higher utility bills if Meta abandons the project early.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Business&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772054311370.jpg?fit=450%2C253&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66668,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/edgeconnex-plans-3-5-billion-data-center-investment-in-northern-italy\/","url_meta":{"origin":81308,"position":5},"title":"EdgeConneX Plans $3.5 Billion Data Center Investment in Northern Italy","author":"Admin","date":"May 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Technology company EdgeConneX announced plans for a massive $3.5 billion investment to construct three data centers in Italy's Lombardy region. The project is expected to be completed by 2031 and could generate an additional $5 billion in indirect investments.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Business&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778779391793.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778779391793.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778779391793.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778779391793.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778779391793.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81308"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81308\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}