Socorro County Constituents Demand a Moratorium on Data Centers

Socorro County Commissioners

An image of Socorro County

We, Socorro County constituents, demand an immediate moratorium on the approval, permitting, and construction of large scale data centers in Socorro County which would remain in effect unless and until comprehensive, enforceable regulatory frameworks are established to safeguard water, agriculture, energy systems, environmental integrity, cultural resources and the health and welfare of affected communities.

A moratorium is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to our county, while policymakers and regulators develop clear, transparent, and science-based standards governing water resource and energy consumption, environmental impacts, land use, and community protections.

Why a Moratorium Matters

A moratorium would not stop innovation or economic growth. Instead, it would provide time to:
  • Study the cumulative water and energy demands of large-scale data centers in Socorro County.
  • Develop clear county wide standards for siting, water resources, energy sourcing, light and noise pollution, and environmental protection for all large-scale industries.
  • Ensure communities have a meaningful voice before projects are approved.
Data Centers are being fast tracked for approval without regulations, including without a
clear understanding of the water resources. This comes at a time when the state as a whole,
the Rio Grande ecosystem, and Socorro County farmers and ranchers are facing impacts of a decades of severe drought, now called aridification.
A pause on hyper-scale data center construction will allow time to develop regulations and help policy makers and the Socorro County communities understand the potential negative impacts of these projects and ensure the projects include community benefits.
As our elected Commissioners, we are calling on you to protect the overall health of the people and environment in Socorro County, now and for future generations.


Sponsored by
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Socorro County Concerned Citizens
Socorro, NM

To: Socorro County Commissioners
From: [Your Name]

We, Socorro County constituents, demand an immediate moratorium on the approval, permitting, and construction of large scale data centers in Socorro County which would remain in effect unless and until comprehensive, enforceable regulatory frameworks are established to safeguard water, energy systems, environmental integrity, and the health and welfare of affected communities.

​A moratorium is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to our county, while policymakers and regulators develop clear, transparent, and science-based standards governing water resource and energy consumption, environmental impacts, land use, and community protections.