NM State Ethics Commission files lawsuit against group behind Project Jupiter ads

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico State Ethics Commission has filed a lawsuit against a group behind several advertisements for a controversial multi-billion-dollar data center claiming they violated state law.

The state claims in the lawsuit that Elevate New Mexico, a virginia based corporation, did not comply with the state’s Lobbyist Regulation Act. The State Ethics Commission claims Elevate New Mexico launched an undisclosed advertising campaign, that cost $2,500, to influence New Mexico Environment Department Sec. James Kenney to approve air permit applications for the construction of two natural-gas-fueled microgrid power plants associated with Project Jupiter, an AI data center in Doña Ana County.

The commission believes Elevate New Mexico acted as a lobbyist, but failed to disclose the required information about who is funding the ads. The commission has asked a judge to order the corporation to register the ad campaign as a lobbying effort with the Secretary of State and comply with disclosure requirements.

Click here to read the State Ethics Commission’s complaint.