High school FFA students present skit on AI data centers, urge scrutiny of 'Project Jupiter'

Students from Los Cusus High School presented research and a staged "peaceful protest" skit asking county leaders to weigh the economic benefits and environmental and workforce risks of proposed AI data-center development.

In the skit and subsequent remarks, student speakers portrayed pro- and anti-data-center viewpoints. Proponents in the presentation said AI and data centers could boost precision agriculture, improve yields and create high-paying technical jobs. Opponents focused on water use and land loss: a student playing a dairy farmer warned, "How can you say that when we're in a drought and don't have enough water to water our crops or support our animals?" Students cited public figures used in their research — for example, medium-sized data centers can use "up to 100 million gallons of water per year," and the team said a large campus such as Project Jupiter could require much larger volumes.

The presentation named the four-building Project Jupiter campus and said it is planned for Santa Teresa and aimed for completion in 2029. A student in the skit who said they represented the project argued the campus would use recycled or non-potable water and closed-loop cooling to reduce potable-water use. Another student said AI could enable greater crop precision and economic gains.

Commissioners responded positively to the studentswork and research. Chair Sanchez and others praised the skit format and encouraged the group; commissioners also noted the state-level water case (Texas v. New Mexico) and the countys drought conditions as context for the water concerns the students raised.

The students said they will compete in the state FFA contest May 26 and asked commissioners for feedback. The board did not take any policy action but thanked the students and encouraged staff to keep community concerns about water, jobs and land use in mind when reviewing large development proposals.