AGP Executive Report

Digital Access: New Mexico has committed another $340,750 to expand computer access and digital-skills training statewide, after the DiverseIT program distributed 170 laptops since January. AI and Jobs: A Los Alamos scientist’s AI materials startup plans to bring 80 jobs to Nambé Pueblo. Clean Energy: NMSU received $2.85 million to map potential geothermal resources beneath Las Cruces and build a 3D model. Autonomous Aviation: A remotely piloted Caravan flew at Albuquerque Sunport in an advanced-air-mobility demonstration. Data Centers: Oracle says delays could affect its New Mexico Project Jupiter, underscoring the financing and infrastructure challenges facing the AI buildout. Water Research: A study estimates the Upper Colorado River Basin lost 4.6 trillion gallons of groundwater during the 2020–22 drought, highlighting pressure on supplies across the region, including New Mexico. Science Heritage: The NSF plans to demolish Sunspot’s historic Dunn Solar Telescope in 2027, citing hazardous materials; removable instruments may be preserved. State Technology: New Mexico’s four largest active IT projects are about $456 million over budget, with delays reaching years. Ice Age History: White Sands footprints dated to about 23,000 years ago offer clues to how early people adapted to severe climate shifts.

AI & Manufacturing: A Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist’s startup, Discovery 2 Scale, won $500,000 in state support to expand in Nambé Pueblo and plans to create 80 jobs making advanced materials with AI and robotics. Autonomous Aviation: Reliable Robotics raised $115 million and tested a remotely piloted cargo plane at Albuquerque’s Sunport. The company is pursuing FAA approval for autonomous flights, including proposed routes linking Albuquerque with Santa Fe and Durango. Digital Access: New Mexico awarded $340,750 to DiverseIT to provide computers and digital-skills training statewide; the program has distributed 170 laptops since January. Water & Data Centers: A study estimates the Upper Colorado River Basin, including New Mexico, lost 4.6 trillion gallons of groundwater during the 2020–22 drought. In Sierra County, officials discussed studying data-center impacts during a moratorium, with residents urging public input. State Technology: New Mexico’s four largest active IT projects are now about $456 million over their original budgets, with delays stretching some projects by years.

AI Infrastructure: New Mexico’s Project Jupiter data center is a case study in the AI boom’s growing constraints: Oracle issued a force majeure notice after regulators blocked a proposed gas pipeline, while grid limits and local opposition threaten projects nationwide. Defense Technology: The Army approved production of extended-range GMLRS rockets after tests at White Sands Missile Range; the rockets can reach targets up to 150 kilometers away using existing launchers. Water Innovation: New Mexico is using satellite radar, AI and field inspections to help utilities spot underground leaks and conserve water. Ancient Climate: Research on 23,000-year-old footprints at White Sands links early inhabitants to abrupt shifts from wet to dry conditions, offering a contrast with today’s rapid warming. Solar Science: Federal agencies are pressing ahead with plans to demolish the Dunn Solar Telescope at Sacramento Peak, while assessing hazardous materials and funding an exhibit on the observatory’s scientific contributions. Tech Accountability: A New Mexico jury found Facebook liable for more than 43 million alleged state-law violations over deceptive claims about user privacy and safety; a judge will decide penalties.

Water-Watching Technology: New Mexico’s LeakTracer program combines satellite radar, AI and field inspections to help utilities spot underground drinking-water leaks, including in smaller communities. Tech Accountability: A Santa Fe jury found Facebook committed nearly 43.9 million state consumer-law violations; a judge will decide penalties, which could reach billions of dollars. First Americans: Research on White Sands’ ancient footprints points to humans living in New Mexico as the landscape changed rapidly during the last ice age; a separate DNA review estimates people reached the Americas between 14,000 and 20,000 years ago. Data Center Debate: Oracle says construction at Project Jupiter is moving quickly and promises carbon-free energy matching by 2031, as the New Mexico project faces scrutiny over power, water and climate goals. Solar Science at Risk: Federal agencies are pressing ahead with plans to demolish the Dunn Solar Telescope at Sacramento Peak, citing mercury contamination; they have pledged up to $100,000 for an exhibit or signs about its scientific legacy. Space Research: Virgin Galactic and the Air Force Research Laboratory are teaming up on space-weather research, extending New Mexico’s role in aerospace and atmospheric science.

Stratospheric Connectivity: A Sceye platform launched from Roswell flew to Japan, where SoftBank and Sceye tested phone calls, emergency alerts, drone links and edge computing—an early step toward commercial high-altitude service. Space Weather: Virgin Galactic and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland will use the company’s next-generation spacecraft to gather data from a poorly observed layer of the atmosphere, supporting research into space weather and its effects on communications and navigation. Data Center Pressure: AI data center growth is intensifying power and climate concerns in New Mexico and Texas, while a separate report says residents have secured a partial win in their fight to save a New Mexico solar observatory from demolition. Ancient New Mexico: Research on White Sands’ fossil footprints is reshaping accounts of early human life in the Americas, highlighting how people endured major ice-age climate swings.

Space Research: Virgin Galactic and Kirtland Air Force Base’s Air Force Research Laboratory will use the company’s next-generation spacecraft to gather data on a poorly observed region of the upper atmosphere, advancing space-weather research. Stratospheric Networks: Roswell-based Sceye and SoftBank completed communications tests in Japan after a Sceye balloon platform flew from New Mexico; trials demonstrated smartphone service, emergency alerts, drone links and edge computing. Data Center Debate: Project Jupiter faces a new air-permit challenge as concerns grow over the power and water demands of AI data centers and their impact on climate plans in New Mexico and El Paso. Science Sites: New Mexico residents fighting demolition of a solar observatory won a partial reprieve, keeping the site’s future in play. AI Skills and Policy: NMSU launched an online AI course for small businesses, while New Mexico is preparing to regulate frontier AI.

Data Center Debate: Santa Teresa residents are pushing back against AI data centers over water use, while Project Jupiter faces fresh permit and power-connection challenges. New Mexico is also preparing frontier AI regulations. Science Infrastructure: Advocates seeking to save a New Mexico solar observatory won a partial reprieve. Tech Workforce: A robotics company plans to bring 80 jobs to Nambé Pueblo, and NMSU has launched an online AI course for small businesses. Connectivity: New Mexico signed its first BEAD broadband project contract. Research: New findings from White Sands’ ancient footprints offer clues to how early people endured dramatic climate swings.

Defense Technology: The Army selected four companies for $1 million each to develop lower-cost interceptors against drones and cruise missiles, with a 2027 demonstration planned and possible use in its White Sands air-defense system. AI Infrastructure: Oracle and Stack Infrastructure offered a first look at Project Jupiter, the huge Santa Teresa data center planned for Oracle and OpenAI. Its power needs and disputed air-permit emissions remain major concerns. New Mexico Science: Research on ancient footprints at White Sands points to human presence in North America about 23,000 years ago, reshaping the story of early settlement and life through Ice Age climate extremes. Clean Energy: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million to geothermal projects, backing a local energy source as electricity demand grows. Connectivity: New Mexico-based Sceye flew its high-altitude floating cell tower to Japan for a 4G network test.

Project Jupiter: Oracle and OpenAI’s 1,400-acre AI campus near Santa Teresa is taking shape, but its power supply and pollution remain contentious. Regional data center plans could add millions of tons of emissions, while permitting challenges continue. AI Policy: New Mexico is preparing to regulate frontier AI, as states grapple with how to oversee fast-moving technology. UNM Research: A new study found differences in how cells respond to exercise, adding to research into the body’s response to physical activity. White Sands Science: Ancient human footprints at White Sands are drawing fresh attention for what they reveal about people living through dramatic Ice Age climate swings. Sunspot Observatory: New Mexico residents have won a partial reprieve in their campaign to preserve parts of the historic solar observatory from demolition. Clean Energy: The state awarded $17.3 million to four geothermal projects.

AI Infrastructure: Oracle and Stack Infrastructure offered a first look at Project Jupiter, the massive southern New Mexico data center planned for AI workloads. The project faces fresh air-permit scrutiny, while its energy demands raise concerns about pollution, water use and strain on the grid. Advanced Manufacturing: Discovery 2 Scale, founded by a former Los Alamos scientist, plans to build an AI-and-robotics materials facility at Nambé Pueblo, with more than 80 jobs focused on scaling advanced materials. White Sands Research: New analysis of the ancient footprints confirms people lived in the area more than 20,000 years ago and endured dramatic climate shifts. Solar Science: New Mexico residents fighting demolition of Sunspot Solar Observatory won a partial victory, urging officials to preserve usable buildings and educational facilities.

Health Research: A University of New Mexico study found that an hour of endurance exercise increased markers of cellular recycling in people who were not regularly active, but not in regular exercisers. Researchers say the findings may help explain how exercise supports cell health. Project Jupiter: A new challenge argues the Santa Teresa data center’s air-permit application is incomplete after updated pollution modeling showed pollutant concentrations could be twice earlier estimates. The figures remain within legal limits, but regulators say the revised assumptions raise questions. AI and Small Business: New Mexico State University has launched a self-paced online course to help small businesses use AI tools and apply them to everyday workflows. Clean Energy: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million in grants to four geothermal projects and signed its first broadband infrastructure contract under the federal BEAD program. Science and History: Research into ancient footprints at White Sands points to early people in New Mexico living through dramatic climate swings during the Ice Age.

Project Jupiter: A new challenge says the proposed data center’s air-permit application is incomplete after updated modeling doubled projected pollutant concentrations and raised emissions 2%; state officials say levels remain within federal limits. Rural Broadband: New Mexico’s first BEAD contract will bring fiber to 3,935 homes, businesses and community institutions across five northern counties, backed by a $27 million state grant and provider matching funds. Forensic Science: The state’s Santa Fe lab highlighted its work in DNA, fingerprint, chemical and firearms analysis, using specialized staff and technology to support investigations and courts. Data Center Workforce: STACK’s first 20 trainees graduated from a 12-week operations program and are now working at Project Jupiter. Research and Energy: Fujitsu plans a quantum-computing research center in New Mexico, while the state awarded $17.3 million to four geothermal projects.

Data Center Debate: Three proposed facilities near the New Mexico–Texas border could add about 10 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions a year, threatening regional climate goals. In a related Project Jupiter permit review, Attorney General Raúl Torrez found a “substantial share” of 17,419 public comments were not submitted independently; the inquiry continues. Nuclear Engineering: Kairos Power’s Albuquerque facility has automated inspection and laser-marking of fuel pebbles, giving each a permanent identity and addressing a tracking challenge once deemed unfeasible at commercial scale. Early Humans: New research confirms White Sands footprints date to 23,500–21,700 years ago and finds the landscape shifted sharply within people’s lifetimes. AI in Extension: NMSU is using AI to update 4-H learning materials and develop data for future chatbots. Energy Research: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million to four geothermal projects, while Fujitsu plans to establish a quantum-computing research center in the state.

Project Jupiter: Oracle executive Mahesh Thiagarajan agreed to meet Doña Ana County’s 11-member citizen monitor committee on the Santa Teresa AI data center. The pledge comes amid disputes over its electric connection and plans for a gas pipeline, keeping the project’s energy and community impacts in focus. Data Center Debate: Gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland proposes pausing new data centers until the state sets guardrails, as reporting warns planned facilities could complicate New Mexico and El Paso’s climate goals. Research and Energy: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million to four geothermal projects, while the state’s partnership with Fujitsu aims to establish a quantum computing research center. Radio Astronomy: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is challenging SpaceX’s proposed Starlink Gen 3 frequencies, warning they could interfere with radio telescopes, including at protected sites in New Mexico. Ancient Climate: A study of pollen at White Sands suggests people were present as the region’s climate changed rapidly during the last ice age, adding context to the site’s famously old human footprints.

AI Infrastructure: Project Jupiter, Oracle’s $165 billion data center in Santa Teresa, opened for its first media tour, showcasing fuel-cell power and a closed-loop cooling system. About 4,400 people are working on site, including 1,200 New Mexicans. But Oracle’s proposed backup-power deal with El Paso Electric surprised county commissioners, while three data centers near the state line raise concerns about rising emissions and climate targets. Clean Energy: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million to four geothermal projects, backing efforts to expand the state’s renewable energy supply. Quantum Research: Fujitsu and New Mexico are moving ahead with plans for a quantum computing research center in the state. Water Science: NASA satellite data show that river models miss important changes in nearly 10% of waterways studied, often where dams and reservoirs complicate water planning—a concern for the drought-stressed West.

Geothermal Research: New Mexico awarded $17.3 million to four projects investigating the state’s underground heat. New Mexico Tech will receive $10 million to drill a test well in Socorro County; NMSU, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and San Ildefonso Pueblo will also study geothermal potential. AI Infrastructure: Oracle is urging federal regulators to fast-track a 17.8-mile gas pipeline for its Project Jupiter data center near Santa Teresa, which plans to draw up to 2.5 gigawatts from fuel cells. The pipeline’s projected start has slipped to February 2027. Quantum Computing: New Mexico and Fujitsu are moving ahead with plans for a quantum computing research center in the state, part of an effort to build local research capacity and strengthen cybersecurity. Connectivity: New Mexico expects broadband access to reach 94% of residents by year’s end, as the state continues expanding internet service. Climate Science: NASA satellite observations are exposing gaps in river models used to plan for water supplies and climate change, including in waterways across the West.