By Sarah Silva
The Project Jupiter construction jobs have arrived, and I’ve been working with Doña Ana Community College and the trade unions to ensure New Mexicans get as many as possible.
I recognize the controversy surrounding the project, and wanted to share some thoughts.
I first learned about this project when most of you did last fall. It was obvious the county commission was going to approve tax breaks that would ensure it was built. So when I was invited into negotiations with the developers because of my role as a state representative, I made clear what I wanted to see happen to protect our community.
I don’t represent folks in Sunland Park, but I’m familiar with their struggle to get basic needs met by government, especially when it comes to safe drinking water. So, I asked for – and walked out of that meeting with – a $50 million commitment from the developers to fund water and wastewater infrastructure in the Sunland Park area. I’m going to work to secure matching state funds to ensure people have safe water.
Ever since, Project Jupiter has led us on a confusing journey. Flawed processes have excluded the public. I know it’s been impossible to trust what these developers have said about water use and emissions. I want to recognize the distrust and skepticism so many of you have expressed. It is a fair response to the way the developers have treated our community.
At the same time, I recognize the opportunities Project Jupiter can create for our families. In three generations, my own family has advanced from an immigrant farmworker to mechanics and engineers to an elected state representative whose job is, in part, to help provide such opportunities for others. I take that responsibility seriously.
With our climate in crisis and too many New Mexicans living in poverty, I am trying to be vigilant about our water and air while also building an economy that provides good-paying jobs for folks who are struggling.
That’s why I’ve been working to ensure New Mexicans can access the jobs at Project Jupiter and are equipped to do them. As we consider the tradeoffs, for me it would be a double loss if we accept increased air pollution and use of some of our precious water without New Mexicans getting a significant percentage of these jobs.
Project Jupiter is being built. I visited the construction site earlier this month and spoke to 1,200 workers there. About 20% are New Mexicans. The number of workers will grow to nearly 4,000 by the end of the year, and I’m going to keep working to get New Mexicans hired.
This is my first term in office. I’m still learning the job. I’m proud that I’ve been able to secure money for water infrastructure and helped formalize a union partnership with DACC to help New Mexicans get jobs. But I’m concerned about the environmental impact and the way the public has been excluded from the process.
Knowing what I now know about the process, I wish I had insisted on more from the developers. I could have asked for a commitment that Project Jupiter derive a significant percentage of its power from renewable energy from the onset. I still want them to commit to that.
I am sure of this: Project Jupiter provides us with a learning opportunity. The process that led us here was flawed, to say the least. We can be better. I support the state creating rules for future data centers that require more community involvement and protect our water and air. I’ll be discussing this with my colleagues as we head into the next legislative session.
I’m cautiously optimistic about Project Jupiter abandoning plans to build gas-fired power plants in favor of fuel-cell technology that is less-polluting. I’ll be monitoring their water use to make sure it stays low.
I’ll push for Project Jupiter to become greener. I’ve been learning about New Mexico’s substantial potential for tapping into geothermal energy. I’ve been talking with New Mexico State University about a geothermal microgrid they’re planning.
In the meantime, DACC is hosting workshops next week in Las Cruces and Sunland Park to help New Mexicans apply for 300 available construction jobs at Project Jupiter that have starting pay of $27 to $33 per hour. All you need is a high-school diploma. They’ll train you.
The Las Cruces workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at DACC’s workforce center, 2345 Nevada Ave. The Sunland Park workshop is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the DACC campus, 3365 McNutt Road.
I’m trying to learn from the experience of Project Jupiter. I’ll keep working to create trade jobs in construction, but also for positions like early childhood educators and emergency medical technicians.
I believe the growth that leads to more jobs and the transition to clean energy are within reach. No state is better positioned to lead. I want every New Mexican to have the opportunity to benefit. I’ll keep working with optimism and pragmatism toward that future.
State Rep. Sarah Silva, a Democrat, represents communities including Las Cruces and Chaparral in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
The post Opinion: Making the most of Project Jupiter’s jobs while staying vigilant appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More