SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Ahead of its air quality permit review, Project Jupiter is confident the data center’s footprint on the environment will be a small one.
On Tuesday, KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with Julia Robin, the global head of infrastructure planning for Oracle, a company tied to the project, who said that due to new technology, the data center will dramatically reduce its emissions, giving the company confidence ahead of its air quality permit review.
Robin said a key area of discussion has been Oracle’s plan to use Bloom fuel cells as part of the project’s power system.
READ MORE: Santa Teresa’s Project Jupiter to slash water use, emissions with new fuel technology
Julia Robin, the global head of infrastructure planning for Oracle, a company tied to the Project Jupiter. July 28, 2026. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“So yeah, so we originally had a gas turbine plant solution for the power plant,” Robin said. “It consumed quite a bit of water.”
However, plans changed, and the project’s power system was redesigned after receiving community feedback, Robin said, and so they moved away from a gas turbine plant to a Bloom fuel cell approach.
Robin emphasized this new approach uses very little water and has a low emissions profile.
“It’s in many circumstances up to a 90% reduction in emissions relative to that prior plan,” Robin said. “Overall it’s more of an electrochemical process rather than a burning that you would see with a traditional gas turbine.”
A public hearing for the air quality permit with the New Mexico Environment Department is scheduled for Oct. 19
Robin said regulators have asked questions and requested additional information during the review process, and Oracle has responded.
“We’ve gone through standard processes around any questions or additional information that’s been ongoing for the last several months, and we’ve provided all information that they’ve requested,” Robin said.
When asked when a final decision is expected, Robin said Oracle is “working with NMED on their standard timelines.”
Julia Spencer reports on Santa Teresa’s Project Jupiter touts low water use, emissions ahead of air permit hearing (Credit: KFOX14)
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During the interview, Robin also addressed concerns community members have raised when it comes to Project Jupiter.
About water use, Robin said the project’s water needs are low relative to its size and are outweighed by the economic benefits.
“I think the main point is that it’s a very, very low usage for this scale of a project,” Robin said. “The economic benefit and the jobs that are created based on relative to the amount of water are very substantial.”
Robin said Oracle cited a $4.7 billion economic impact over a period of 15 to 17 years.
On the topic of jobs, Robin said construction employment is projected at about 7,000 positions, with about 1,500 long-term jobs on site.
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Regarding allegations that someone impersonated people, including elected officials, and made public comments in support of the project, Robin said Oracle is cooperating with a civil and criminal investigation.
“Yeah, first of all, we’re horrified that there are parties that would impersonate anyone, much less any elected or other state officials,” Robin said. “And we’re completely complying with that investigation and have actually launched our own investigation internally to ensure that we understand what happened here.”
In the end, Robin described Project Jupiter as a major investment for the state.
“Yeah, this project is transformational for New Mexico and we’re really excited to be part of a really revolutionary and likely once-in-a-lifetime investment for the state,” Robin said.
Robin also referenced a county water infrastructure commitment discussed during the presentation, saying the funding is close to complete.
“They’ll be reported by the county at the end of the month, but what we can say and we shared today is that it’s almost fully funded for that 50 million,” Robin said.
Looking ahead to the Oct. 19 air quality permit hearing and the state’s decision, Robin said Oracle believes its design choices put the project in a strong position.
“We feel very good about where that positions us from an environmental footprint, from a water consumption standpoint and from an emissions standpoint,” Robin said.
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