The People's Data Center Forum - Sunday May 24
Thought I'd share this that came across my feed today.
>Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library in the Roadrunner Room
Fight Chihuahuan Desert Xtraction (FCDX) will host The People’s Data Center Forum focused on the impacts that Project Jupiter, a hyper-scale artificial intelligence data center, will have on on the region's public health, and environment. The public forum will take place on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library in the Roadrunner Room. Experts in water policy, energy systems, climate and environmental law, and artificial intelligence will discuss how this project may affect the Chihuahuan Desert region, and take questions.
FCDX created this forum to provide residents with accessible, research-driven information. This is also an opportunity for open public dialogue around one of the region’s most consequential proposed developments. “Project Jupiter represents a grave threat to our region that will have long-lasting impacts on our water, energy, air, and democratic bodies,” said Esperanza Chairez, an organizer with FCDX, “Community members deserve transparent information, open discussion, and the opportunity to ask critical questions.”
The event will include presentations from invited speakers followed by a question-and-answer session. The invited experts include:
Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi- is an Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Her research examines the limitations, risks, and ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence applications in the medical sector. Originally from Las Cruces and an alumna of New Mexico State University, Dr. Ghassemi brings nationally recognized expertise on AI systems and their societal implications.
Colin Cox- is a lawyer with the Climate Law Institute combating oil and gas pollution in New Mexico. As a staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, he has supported clean air advocacy efforts in Santa Teresa and has extensive experience addressing environmental impacts tied to industrial development.
Norm Gaume- is a water engineer and former Director of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. He currently serves as an officer with New Mexico Water Advocates, an organization focused on transforming statewide water governance policy. He will discuss water use concerns and sustainability challenges associated with hyperscale data centers in arid regions.
Phil Simpson- is a retired engineer from the Army Research Laboratory. Since retirement, he has focused on advancing clean energy solutions in New Mexico and will speak on the energy demands and infrastructure implications of large-scale AI and data center development.
The forum is intended to foster informed civic engagement, and provide residents with an opportunity to better understand how these emerging technologies and mass-scale projects will shape the future of our community. The event is free and open to the public. It will take place at the Las Cruces public library located at 200 E Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001 on Sunday, May 24th starting at 1 pm.
Fight Chihuahuan Desert Xtraction (FCDX) - is a group of local grassroots organizers imagining a more ecologically sound, democratic, and equitable future in our desert. They formed in opposition to Project Jupiter.
Email: info@fcdx.live Website: www.fcdx.live Social media: u/fcdx.da
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