A controversial new data center being built near Santa Teresa seems to be trying to sneak past some opponents via a New Mexico pipeline.
READ MORE: Hot To (Legally), Protest In Texas
As the new data center near Santa Teresa is being built, far northeast El Paso, between El Paso and Chaparral, is about to get another, monster data center too. Both going up despite facing a lot of opposition. Why do these things generate so much hate?
Data centers use massive amounts of water and electricity which is why many are opposed to the projects. New power pants will generate electricity for them but they need natural gas to do it. Many don’t want to provide that gas and a new plan to import it doe the Santa Teresa center is stirring up protestors.
How Will The Santa Teresa Center Get Natural Gas?
Since the locals don’t seem to want to help the center get “gassed”, developers have a new plan to pump it in from elsewhere via a pipeline that is facing even more opposition.
How Much Natural Gas Does Meta Need?
The proposed center, dubbed “Project Jupiter”, would import a ton.
The project would pipe 400,000 dekatherms of gas daily to power plants for Project Jupiter, according to the nearly 900-page application for the $60 million pipeline, dubbed the “Green Chile Project.” As a point of comparison, that amount of gas used daily would power Española for one year, according to Lu Liu, an assistant civil engineering professor at Iowa State University. – sourcenm.com
Why Are People Against This?
One of the biggest reasons is ecological. According to sourcenm.com, the Santa Teresa project would emit the same level of greenhouse gasses as New Mexico’s 2 largest cities, (Albuquerque and Las Cruces), combined. Also:
Local environmental groups have accused local officials of violating state transparency laws and of an improper process in the bond vote. sourcenm.com
But, The Center Would Bring Jobs To Santa Teresa
That’s one argument for the center which would employ about 750 people. However – I’d hazard a guess that most of them would live in El Paso so Project Jupiter’s impact on employment in Santa Teresa is minimal.
12 Reasons El Paso Isn’t the Ugliest City in Texas
El Paso was unfairly labeled the “ugliest city in Texas” so here are 12 reasons that is just untrue. Do you agree with any of these?
Own This Former Military Base and Town in New Mexico
Have you ever thought about owning a town? Why not? Johnny Depp bought one. This former military base is on the market for the low, low price of $11,000,000. You’ll find it roughly 120 miles south of the Colorado/New Mexico state line. Take a quick tour.
Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan