Records Request Yielded Photo of Oracle Meeting
A records request regarding a July 27 meeting between Governor Lujan Grisham and Oracle returned only a single photograph.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Data Centers
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Following a July 27 meeting between Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Oracle, a public records request for documents produced only one photo. The event occurred as the state accelerated the timeline for air quality permits regarding a new data center.
Why it matters
The disclosure highlights the limited documentation surrounding high-level discussions as the state navigates the approval process for large-scale infrastructure projects.
A public records request was filed following the July 27 meeting between the Governor and Oracle, which resulted in the release of one photograph. The state is currently evaluating an air quality permit for the Project Jupiter data center.
The players
Michelle Lujan Grisham
She serves as the Governor of New Mexico and oversees the state administrative agencies involved in the permitting process.
Oracle
This global technology company is involved in discussions regarding infrastructure development within New Mexico.
Max Shepherd
He is a hearing officer for the New Mexico Environment Department who managed the scheduling for the permit process.
New Mexico Environment Department
This state agency is responsible for regulating air quality permits and managing environmental hearings.
The details
Max Shepherd, a hearing officer for the New Mexico Environment Department, initially proposed an October date for an air quality permit hearing. The agency moved to accelerate this permitting timeline for the data center project located in Santa Teresa.
Timeline
July 27: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham met with Oracle representatives.
Late July: State officials accelerated the air quality permit timeline.
October: This month was the initial target for the permit hearing.
Roadmap
The push for large-scale data center infrastructure in New Mexico reflects a broader trend of states competing to host massive, energy-intensive technology facilities. This activity aligns with state economic development efforts to secure long-term investments from major tech corporations.
The acceleration of permitting timelines for projects like the Santa Teresa data center could change the local timeline for regional utility and infrastructure expansion. Residents should monitor future environment department hearings for details on site-specific impacts.
The takeaway
Public records requests remain a key tool for residents to track how state leaders engage with private corporations on infrastructure deals. Transparency regarding these meetings helps the public understand how policy changes might affect local resources.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure regulation, visit Data Centers.
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