NM Environmental Law Center calls for greater access to Project Jupiter air permit review

The New Mexico Environmental Law Center urged the New Mexico Environment Department to make air permit applications for Project Jupiter accessible to the public and to extend opportunities for public participation, according to a letter submitted to the department’s Air Quality Bureau. The nonprofit said large portions of the applications submitted by Acoma, LLC for two proposed microgrid power plants in Santa Teresa are redacted, limiting the public’s ability to review and comment.

The law center requested broader notice of the applications in English and Spanish and asked the department to extend the standard 30-day public comment period by an additional 30 days. It also called for any public hearing to be held no earlier than 90 days after the department releases its analysis and to take place in Santa Teresa. Staff attorney Kacey Hovden said impacted residents must be able to access documents and participate meaningfully in the permitting process. Senior staff attorney Maslyn Locke said accessible hearings require complete information, adequate review time and language access.