Lawmakers Discuss AI Data Centers and Energy Future in San Juan County
New Mexico legislators met at the 2025 San Juan Basin Energy Conference to debate how the region can supply power for energy intensive uses such as artificial intelligence data centers, and what that means for local jobs and the environment. The conversation highlighted competing views on carbon capture, nuclear microgrids, permitting and the potential reuse of existing Four Corners Generating Station infrastructure, matters that could shape San Juan County's economic and environmental trajectory.
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A panel of New Mexico lawmakers convened at the San Juan Basin Energy Conference on November 7 to map the state energy strategy as artificial intelligence and data center demand grows. The session brought together Sen. Bill Sharer and Representatives Meredith Dixon, Gail Armstrong and Patty Lundstrom for a wide ranging discussion that linked local infrastructure choices to workforce opportunities and environmental objectives.
Panelists framed the discussion around the need for more power and reliable infrastructure to host high energy uses such as AI data centers, while considering how existing regional assets might be repurposed. Among the topics were carbon capture technology, nuclear microgrids, workforce development and the potential role of the Four Corners Generating Station in supporting new industrial development. Water reuse for industrial applications and strategies to streamline permitting processes also featured prominently as practical concerns for developers and local officials.
Lawmakers acknowledged differing approaches to regulation and the role of fuels and technologies in the state energy mix. Debate touched on the roles natural gas and nuclear energy could play alongside renewables, and on how quickly and by what definition New Mexico should pursue decarbonization targets. Those differences underscore the policy choices that will influence investment patterns, job creation and the timelines for major projects in San Juan County and the broader Four Corners region.
For San Juan County residents the stakes are concrete. More power and upgraded transmission capacity could attract large employers and new industrial investment, potentially translating into expanded local employment and a broader tax base. At the same time these developments raise questions about environmental safeguards, water usage and how long term community interests will be protected as energy landscapes shift. The discussion of water reuse is particularly salient in an arid region where industrial demands can conflict with agricultural and municipal needs.
The panel also focused on workforce development as a practical prerequisite for realizing new projects. Training programs and recruitment that align local labor skills with the technical needs of carbon capture, advanced grid systems and data center operations were presented as essential to ensure that economic benefits remain in the community.
Seen through an international lens the San Juan Basin conversation reflects global trends. The expansion of AI and large scale computing has elevated concerns over energy intensity and the need for robust, resilient grids. How New Mexico balances investment in infrastructure, environmental commitments and economic development will resonate beyond the county, influencing how the Four Corners region positions itself in a competitive market for clean energy and high tech facilities.
As policy deliberations continue, San Juan County officials and residents will be watching how state level choices on permitting, infrastructure reuse and workforce planning translate into concrete projects. Those decisions will determine whether the community sees sustainable economic gains, and how the region navigates the trade offs between rapid development and environmental stewardship.
