New Mexico Supreme Court denies petitions regarding Project Jupiter air quality permit, water use

(KVIA) -- Thursday, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied the request for a writ of mandamus requested by the New Energy Economy against the state Environment Department regarding an air quality permit application for the Project Jupiter data center.

The data center is under construction in the Santa Teresa area.

Additionally, the court denied a writ of mandamus requested by the Center for Biological Diversity against the New Mexico State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson and Santa Teresa Capital, LLC. The court also lifted a stay imposed on Aug. 23.

That day, the court unanimously paused an air permit proceeding and water use from a new well for the data center.

These rulings are the result of legal challenges by the two entities in hopes of stopping some areas of Project Jupiter.

The main point of contention is how the permitting was processed regarding air quality or pollution that could emanate from this facility, and if any regulations were cut or curbed.

The stay that lifted will allow the drilling of wells supporting the center's construction to continue.

The state engineer had been mentioned in the lawsuit because the filer felt she had sidestepped due process protections while allowing the drilling of a new well without a public hearing.