County to weigh strict rules for data center incentives

Bernalillo County commissioners are set to revisit a high-stakes resolution aimed at tightening oversight of large data center and AI infrastructure projects when they meet Tuesday in Albuquerque. 

The “Holding Data Center Projects Accountable in Our Community” measure, introduced at the Jan. 13 meeting, would condition county incentives on clear community benefits and sustainability standards.

Under the proposal, developers seeking county incentives such as tax breaks, industrial revenue bonds or other public support would have to meet strict criteria before approval. That includes local hiring targets, wage floors, environmental safeguards and resource-use offsets to ensure projects deliver a net benefit to Bernalillo County residents.

Key requirements in the resolution
 • Projects must demonstrate a “net public benefit” to the county as a whole.
 • A high percentage of construction and permanent jobs would have to go to New Mexico residents, with wages that meet or exceed community living standards.
 • Facilities would need to run on 100 percent renewable energy and fully offset water use tied to their operations through conservation or efficiency projects.

Commissioner Eric Olivas, who sponsored the resolution, said the goal is to ensure public money and resources aren’t spent on projects that provide little return for local families and infrastructure. 

“If we are to offer Bernalillo County taxpayer-funded development incentives to data centers, those facilities must have a substantial net benefit to our community,” Olivas said at the Jan. 13 meeting.

Supporters have argued the measure protects scarce water and power resources and ensures economic development translates into local jobs and environmental stewardship. Opponents, including some business advocates, say the guidelines could deter investment or push data center development to jurisdictions with less stringent requirements.

What’s next on the agenda
 The commission will take up final consideration of the resolution Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers at One Civic Plaza NW in downtown Albuquerque. Public comment will be accepted in person and virtually. Commissioners also are expected to conduct their annual election of chair and vice-chair and hear presentations on other county business.

Meeting details:
 • What: Bernalillo County Commission meeting, including final vote on data center accountability resolution
 • When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026
 • Where: Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, One Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque
 • Public comment: In person and via Zoom

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