[Lwvcnmtopics] LWVCNM Monthly Meeting - Thursday April 9th at Noon - Data Centers and Microgrids in New Mexico: Issues to Address - Speaker NM Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

[LWV CentralNewMexico]

Dear Members,

Earth Day is April 22nd.  As always, our April Educational Meeting is
related to the environment. Data Centers are a hot topic in New Mexico.
Please join us and learn more, Thursday April 9th at Noon in the office
conference room or on Zoom. Zoom Invitation after the description.


*WHEN:**         Thursday, April 9th at Noon*

*WHERE:**       LWVCNM Offices Conference Room, 6739 Academy Rd. NE, ample
parking available. In person (members and guests only);   Zoom (members and
general public) *

*TOPIC:**         Data Centers and Microgrids in New Mexico: Issues to
Address *

*SPEAKER:**  New Mexico Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez*



Data centers are computer server farms and have been around for decades.
But the newest type of data center is called “hyperscale” because very
high-capacity server farms are needed for the anticipated growth in
artificial intelligence (AI). Hyperscale data centers require vast amounts
of electricity and water to operate. The race is on among Big Tech
companies to dominate AI so there is enormous pressure to develop data
center sites with associated microgrids to provide electricity.

In New Mexico, Meta established a very large data center in Valencia County
in 2019 and is expanding there. Three other data centers have recently been
announced in southern New Mexico (Project Jupiter in Dona Ana County;
Project Zenith in Roswell; and a Lea County data center operated by New Era
Energy & Digital). Up to 12 additional sites are in discussion around the
state. Questions have been raised about where the electricity and water
will come from if these projects go forward. What types of air pollutants
might be emitted? Will the electricity come from renewable sources (such as
solar, wind, and geothermal) or from fossil fuels with their high levels of
greenhouse gases? How much and what sources of water are available that can
be redirected from current uses?

The April 9 educational meeting of LWVCNM will focus on what criteria
should be applied to evaluate data center and microgrid development and
which public agencies should evaluate and approve them. Senator Antoinette
Sedillo Lopez will provide information and options at our in-person meeting
at the LWVCNM conference room and on Zoom. Senator Sedillo Lopez
co-sponsored the Microgrid Oversight Act in the 2026 Legislature that
called for compliance of microgrids with the Energy Transition Act. The
bill was passed in the Senate but stalled in the House so it did not pass.

The Senator has a BA from UNM and JD from UCLA. She taught at the UNM Law
School for over 25 years, including service as Associate Dean for 8 years.
She was appointed and later elected to the New Mexico Senate representing
District 16. She is Vice Chair of the Senate’s Conservation Committee and
serves on the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.


*Zoom Invitation*

LWVCNM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Data Centers and Microgrids in New Mexico
Time: Apr 9, 2026 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86531209558?pwd=rjFBbt9001QmNN55j2pMelTpc2OemW.1

Meeting ID: 865 3120 9558
Passcode: 952044

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One tap mobile
+13462487799,,86531209558#,,,,*952044# US (Houston)
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Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/86531209558/invitations?signature=8i3zC3_aYUDRYH2gGcVA-GHirwHUpjN9sqI_s9rrA3w


League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico
6739 Academy Rd. NE  Suite 124
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3352
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