Oracle Expands AI Data Center Project in New Mexico Amid Environmental Concerns
Oracle has doubled its job creation forecast for its New Mexico AI data center to 1,500 permanent positions, signaling a significant economic commitment to Doña Ana County. The project, codenamed 'Project Jupiter,' is part of a broader $10 billion partnership with OpenAI, dubbed 'Stargate.'
Data centers nationwide face growing opposition over energy and water usage. Oracle seeks to mitigate concerns by emphasizing its closed-loop water cooling system—claiming consumption comparable to an office building—and on-site gas power generation.
The development reflects tech's escalating infrastructure demands as AI adoption accelerates. While tax incentives and municipal bonds fund the project, local protests highlight tensions between economic promises and environmental stewardship in the crypto-mining and AI era.
