Built by Us: The Podcast
By: Layla Garcia
Hey folks!
Layla writing here, EQNM’s Narrative and Voice Strategist and the Producer of Built by Us: The Podcast! I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation with Representative Angelica Rubio. During this discussion, we take a deep dive into New Mexico’s history with extractive industries, and how mobilization efforts across New Mexico and the U.S. have shifted the landscape for AI Data Center construction.
Quick disclaimer: this conversation was recorded in late May of 2026, so I’ll give you the details of what’s happened since, and what you can do right now to help stop Project Jupiter from exploiting our land and communities.
Updates on Project Jupiter
Right Now, Project Jupiter is scheduled for a New Mexico Environment Department hearing in October of this year. This hearing will determine whether or not Project Jupiter’s air quality permit gets approved. The air quality permit application was updated to include Project Jupiter’s natural gas-powered fuel cell plans. As Representative Rubio speaks on in the podcast, this science has never been tested or proven to be successful on the massive scale that Project Jupiter would operate on. To make a long story short: we’re not buying it.
Additionally, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, Stephanie Garcia Richard, has now twice denied the construction of a natural gas pipeline which would directly service the data center. Another win against invasive and extractive measures!
Dona Ana County Commission Incident
But let’s address the elephant in the room…
On July 28th, a Dona Ana County Commission meeting ended not only in chaos, but possible Civil Rights violations. Three community members were forcefully retaliated against by both county law enforcement and private security officials for voicing their opposition to the commission and to Project Jupiter. Let’s be clear and honest about the fact that this was a violent and unfair escalation by the people meant to keep our communities safe. And as we’ve adamantly stated, Dona Ana County must be held accountable for weaponizing security officials to silence community members demanding dialogue on an issue so impactful to their communities. We’re proud that so many LGBTQ New Mexicans have led civic engagement on Project Jupiter, but this incident is a stark reminder that marginalized communities have and continue to be hit hardest by the harm done by extractive industries and massive corporations. As a Southern New Mexican, it’s appalling to see my community silenced and ignored by this commission, and it hurts to know that these were fellow LGBTQ New Mexicans, simply demanding to be heard.
Community Impact and Call to Action
Project Jupiter has not even been built yet, and it is already causing harm to our communities. This should be an indicator to anyone questioning if this is an “LGBTQ issue” that our community will always feel the blow when extractive industries and billion dollar corporations set up shop in New Mexico. While these recent events have been bleak, it’s especially important to acknowledge that our communities have made a massive impact in the last few months. Across the state, massive mobilizations from impacted communities have fueled Data Center Moratoriums and public education on the harm these centers will cause our communities. Misleading doorknockers and desperate YouTube ads are no match for New Mexicans.
So what can you do right now to stop Project Jupiter? Keep talking about it. Stay informed on the process. Don’t forget that there are multi-billion dollar corporations behind this project who don’t and will never care about our communities. You can submit a public comment to the New Mexico Environment Department at this comment portal voicing your opposition to Project Jupiter.