Deb Haaland backs data center moratorium on ‘day one’ if elected New Mexico governor

Democratic nominee proposes framework for setting regulations on data center construction

Shaun Griswold

September 18, 2026

Deb Haaland said that if she’s elected as New Mexico’s next governor, she would issue an executive order on her first day to pause data center construction and development until regulations are approved by state lawmakers.

The Laguna Pueblo candidate is the frontrunner in the race and has also released framework proposals on such issues as health care and affordability.

Her response to data centers came days after public scrutiny over her latest public financing report showed she received a $12,400 donation on Aug. 26 from Oracle, the software company building New Mexico’s largest data center, Project Jupiter.

Haaland said she has not begun discussions with campaign staff to return any of those donations and defended her decision-making. “I cannot be bowled over with donations to my campaign,” she said. “New Mexicans will still be a priority for me, and I will ensure that I am doing what's right for our state.”

Her data center platform must be codified by state lawmakers, she said.

“These protections will be a floor, not a ceiling. Data centers must go above and beyond these guardrails to be eligible for aid from state business programs,” Haaland declared. “All of this must come with careful monitoring, real enforcement and accountability for any failure to uphold their end of the deal.”

On Thursday she presented an eight-point list to journalists in Albuquerque that she said would be the start of her data center regulation plan, which she would want negotiated in public during the 2027 New Mexico legislative session.

“No back room deals,” Haaland said. “There must be strong community engagement and benefits.”

Haaland mentioned geothermal energy as a potential source to power new data centers in New Mexico and said environmental protections from data center pollution must also be put in place by the legislature.

The Rio Grande Sierra Club responded enthusiastically to Haaland’s data center platform.

Deb Haaland Campaign Finance report

https://login.cfis.sos.state.nm.us//ReportsOutput//103/319c2c12-a086-42a5-ba68-b61c410bca68.pdf

1.Joshua Bowling. New Mexico Supreme Court rejects 2 Project Jupiter challenges, allows permitting process to resume. Source New Mexico, Sep. 17, 2026.
2.Deb Haaland Campaign Finance report.

Deb Haaland stands at a podium during a press conference — New Mexico’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland provides journalists information on a data center development plan, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Buffalo’s Fire/Shaun Griswold) Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Courtesy of Buffalo's Fire · Photo Shaun Griswold)

Spotted an error? Suggest a correction.

1.Joshua Bowling. New Mexico Supreme Court rejects 2 Project Jupiter challenges, allows permitting process to resume. Source New Mexico, Sep. 17, 2026.
2.Deb Haaland Campaign Finance report.

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