FAQS
Answers to Recent Community Questions
ENERGY:
Why did you switch the power supply to Bloom fuel cells?
We listened to community feedback and updated our energy plan to use Bloom fuel cells, which provide reliable power while significantly reducing emissions and water use compared to the original gas turbine design.
Will Project Jupiter have an impact on local air quality or the environmental health of the region?
Bloom fuel cells generate electricity without combustion, reducing emissions compared to the original design by:
- 92% reduction in nitrogen oxides/NOₓ
- 83% reduction of particulate air pollution
- 67% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions
- 21% reduction in CO₂ emissions
If the microgrid produces emissions, how much is expected and how will they be monitored and reported? Will this information be reported on a regular basis?
The microgrid’s air permit from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will include monitoring and reporting requirements designed to ensure compliance with all applicable emissions limits. We expect this will include annual reporting of emissions levels to NMED.
Will Oracle and Project Jupiter comply with the Energy Transition Act?
Yes. Oracle is committed to reducing environmental impacts through energy efficiency, carbon-free electricity, water stewardship, and innovative infrastructure. Project Jupiter is committed to 100% carbon-free energy matching by 2031 and we will reach New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act (ETA) goals well before 2045. Additionally, Oracle continues to explore ways the microgrid can support the broader electric grid.
Will fuel cells eliminate all emissions?
No. The fuel cells will use natural gas today, so the project is not zero-emissions, and we are not claiming it is impact-free. The important distinction is fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process rather than combustion, which materially reduces criteria air pollutants compared with the previously planned gas turbines and diesel generators. The Bloom Energy system also preserves future flexibility because it can operate on lower-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen or biogas, which we will explore once those options become commercially viable for the campus.
What happens to fuel cells at the end of their life?
Bloom Energy fuel cells are designed with circularity in mind, and approximately 99.5% of product materials by weight are recyclable or reusable at the end of life.
What happens to the materials used to prepare natural gas for the fuel cell system?
Bloom fuel cells generate electricity from natural gas through an electrochemical process rather than combustion. Natural gas delivered through U.S. pipelines contains sulfur-based compounds which must be removed before the gas enters the fuel cell system to protect the equipment. The filtration material used to remove sulfur is replaced periodically during routine maintenance and its disposal is managed in accordance with applicable environmental regulations.
Will the microgrid operate independently or rely on El Paso Electric?
Project Jupiter’s fuel cell-based system will operate behind the meter, and Oracle will pay for the project’s power costs. The facility’s only connection to the grid will be to supply power to the office building and for initial ramp and equipment commissioning. In the event of an emergency, it could also provide limited backup power. This approach is a key element of our updated power strategy, allowing us to avoid the conventional reliance on diesel generators and the associated emissions. This will not affect electric rates or grid stability for residents and businesses.
WATER:
What is the truth about Project Jupiter’s water use? How much water will the site use for daily operations and how much is needed from the wells?
Project Jupiter uses a closed-loop cooling system that requires a one-time fill of approximately 2.5 million gallons of non-potable water for each of four data center buildings over two to three years. After startup, cooling requires virtually no additional water, with maintenance top-offs of approximately 1,000 gallons or less annually.
The Bloom fuel cell system requires a one-time startup fill of 960,000 gallons of treated non-potable well water and then operates without ongoing water use. Restarting the system during maintenance approximately every five years averages about 167,000 gallons annually over the life of the project.
Averaged over the course of 15 years, the combined data center cooling and microgrid system’s annual water use is the same as approximately nine U.S. households annual use, or approximately 2,400 gallons per day of non-potable water on average. This average includes the one-time fill to start the system and ongoing maintenance.
Domestic water use will be similar to any office building. We have committed to 20,000 gallons in our agreement with Doña Ana County.
Is the water being drawn from an aquifer? Will Project Jupiter affect the quality of clean water supply?
The non-potable well water used to run Project Jupiter will be purchased under contract from an existing New Mexico water-rights holder, meaning the 2,400 gallons per day are coming from existing uses, not incremental water use. Due to the design of the project, use of the well water will be minimal and will not degrade the surrounding freshwater supply or threaten the Mesilla Basin Aquifer. The well water will be treated to meet the requirements of the Bloom Energy fuel cell system. Any treatment byproducts will be managed in approved containment or disposal facilities and will not be discharged back into the aquifer.
JOBS:
What types of long-term jobs will Project Jupiter provide to the region and what are the salary ranges expected?
During the construction phase, Project Jupiter is expected to generate 7,000 construction jobs across a range of construction trades from welders to electricians, to heavy equipment operators, and many more.* Once operational, Project Jupiter is expected to support 1,500 jobs, which will include data center technicians, network engineers, and critical facility technicians. Full time salaries will average $75 – $100K, plus benefits.*
*These projections assume the air permit and pipeline are timely approved, as originally planned.
Will local residents be prioritized for jobs at Project Jupiter? Will Project Jupiter establish local training partnerships? Aren’t these jobs only for people with technology backgrounds?
We are prioritizing local hiring, training, and upskilling through partnerships with education institutions like Doña Ana Community College. We are hosting job fairs, training educators, and preparing New Mexicans for careers in data centers through hands-on training and mentorship programs. We welcome anyone, regardless of educational or professional background.
How many construction workers are onsite currently, and are these union members and New Mexico residents?
In July, Project Jupiter reached a peak onsite construction workforce of approximately more than 2,700 workers, including nearly 700 New Mexico residents. More than 150 New Mexico firms are participating or joining the supplier pipeline, and hundreds of union workers—including UA 412 and the Carpenters—are supporting construction. We remain focused on expanding opportunities for New Mexico workers and businesses.
ECONOMIC IMPACT:
How much tax revenue is Project Jupiter contributing to the county and the state?
Project Jupiter will contribute hundreds of millions of gross receipts tax revenue to New Mexico and Doña Ana County specifically. During construction, the project is estimated to generate tax revenues of approximately $200M to the county and $400M to the state of New Mexico.* Once it’s operational, Project Jupiter is projected to have an ongoing gross receipts tax impact of more than $10M annually for the county and more than $30M to New Mexico.* In addition, the project will make payments of $12M per year directly to the County and local schools, resulting in total average annual tax payments of more than $50M to the state and county.* Project Jupiter has already generated $10M in tax revenue for Doña Ana County and $29.9M for the state. These tax revenues have already helped fund recent announcements from Doña Ana County including generators for fire stations, food pantry renovations, improved roads, funding for Doña Ana County schools, and other important uses. Additionally, 80% of the $50M commitment in tax revenues has been generated and placed into a fund for water infrastructure improvements in Doña Ana County with the remaining funds expected to be completed next month.
How much of the investment from Project Jupiter will remain in New Mexico?
Project Jupiter is expected to deliver more than $4.7 billion in long-term economic impact to the state and county from tax revenue, investments, and additional commercial activity over the life of the project.* This investment will provide economic benefits for the county and its residents, creating high-paying jobs, supporting local infrastructure, emergency services, schools, libraries, and more. Oracle is growing and committed to investing in the community. Doña Ana County is not just where we are building our data center, it is where Oracle employees will live, work, and raise their families. We are investing in the future of this County and region for decades to come.
*These projections assume the air permit and pipeline are timely approved, as originally planned.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
Statements in this article relating to Oracle’s future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are “forward-looking statements” and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Many factors could affect Oracle’s current expectations and actual results, and could cause actual results to differ materially. A discussion of such factors and other risks that affect Oracle’s business is contained in Oracle’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including Oracle’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors.” These filings are available on the SEC’s website or on Oracle’s website at oracle.com/investor. All information in this article is current as of July 28, 2026 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events.
