As a resident of New Mexico, I've watched my community struggle with the long-standing effects of a relentless water crisis. The scarcity of this vital resource isn't just a statistic; it's a daily reality for many of us. We plan our days around conserving water, worry about the impact on our agriculture, and fear for the future generations who will inherit this growing problem. So, when I heard about Project Jupiter – a proposed AI data center that promises to consume even more of our already limited water supply – I was compelled to take action.

New Mexico has been battling a water crisis for many years. According to the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, the state's groundwater reserves are depleting at an alarming rate, with some estimates suggesting they're being used at over 140% of their replenishment rate. Data centers, like the one proposed for Santa Teresa, require immense quantities of water for cooling purposes - thousands to millions of gallons per day. In an area already struggling to meet basic water needs, this is unsustainable and irresponsible.

Moreover, the benefits of the data center are not guaranteed to outweigh the costs. While proponents may argue that it will bring jobs and technological advancement to the region, we must ask ourselves: at what expense? The jobs created by similar projects are often specialized, requiring skills that are not readily available in the local workforce, potentially necessitating hiring from outside the state and providing limited benefits to our community.

We have a responsibility to our children and future generations. They deserve to inherit a world where basic necessities like water are abundant and accessible, not forfeited for the sake of questionable technological endeavors. Our environment is a trust left to us by our ancestors, and how we choose to manage it will write the story of New Mexico’s future.

This petition is a call to action. We need to make our voices heard, and we need those in power to prioritize the needs of their residents over abstract technological goals. I urge you to sign this petition and join us in telling those in charge that we do NOT want or need an AI data center in Santa Teresa, NM. Let's protect the future of our community and our children. Your signature can make a difference. Let's stop Project Jupiter in its tracks.