In a unanimous order Sunday evening, the New Mexico Supreme Court has put a pause on Project Jupiter air quality and water use permits
The environmental advocacy group, New Energy Economy, filed a petition last week asking the Court to temporarily stop the air permit from proceeding. The group alleges a lack of due process.
The permit will be on pause until further order of the court.
In a statement, New Energy Economy Executive Director and Senior Attorney Mariel Nanasi called the decision by the court "an extraordinary and necessary intervention."
A public hearing for the permit is scheduled for September 14th. It is unclear whether the hearing will still take place.
Project Jupiter’s water use was also halted as part of the order.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition challenging the approval of a well-drilling permit which the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer approved as an emergency authorization back in October, allowing a new well to be drilled for the data center's construction.
The group says that since April, more than 103 million gallons of water have been pumped from the new well.
Responses for both orders are due on or before September 2nd. KRWG has asked Oracle for a response to the court’s decision but have yet to hear back.
