Bernalillo County Approves Stricter Rules for New Data Centers

New guidelines aim to address water, energy usage and workforce requirements for projects seeking county incentives.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Bernalillo County Commission has approved a resolution setting stricter rules for new data centers looking to secure economic incentives from the county. The guidelines include requirements around workforce, pay, water usage, and energy usage. While some opponents argued the restrictions could make the county less competitive in attracting development, Commissioner Eric Olivas said the expectations are achievable, citing Meta's sustainability efforts in nearby Los Lunas.

Why it matters

As data centers continue to proliferate, counties are grappling with how to balance economic development with environmental and workforce concerns. Bernalillo County's new rules aim to ensure that data centers receiving public incentives meet certain standards around water, energy, and labor.

The details

The resolution approved by the Bernalillo County Commission sets guidelines for data center projects seeking economic incentives from the county. This includes requirements around workforce, such as minimum pay levels, as well as restrictions on water and energy usage. While some opponents argued these rules could make the county less competitive in attracting new data center development, Commissioner Eric Olivas said the expectations are achievable, pointing to sustainability efforts by companies like Meta in nearby Los Lunas.

  • The Bernalillo County Commission approved the resolution on Tuesday evening, February 11, 2026.
  • Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has already offset 200% of its water usage and built 13 renewable energy projects across 9 counties in the region.

The players

Bernalillo County Commission

The governing body of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, which approved the new rules for data center development.

Eric Olivas

A Bernalillo County Commissioner who argued the new guidelines are achievable, citing sustainability efforts by companies like Meta.

Meta

The parent company of Facebook, which has undertaken significant renewable energy and water conservation projects in the region around its data centers.

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What they’re saying

“This is achievable. Meta in Los Lunas has already offset, they claim, 200 percent of their water. They have built renewable energy projects in nine counties, 13 different projects. That's a huge economic benefit, and they are also fully renewable.”

— Eric Olivas, Bernalillo County Commissioner (KRQE)

What’s next

The new data center rules will go into effect immediately, and the county will begin enforcing the guidelines for any new projects seeking economic incentives.

The takeaway

Bernalillo County's new data center rules demonstrate how local governments are trying to balance the economic benefits of data centers with environmental and workforce concerns. By setting standards around water, energy, and labor, the county aims to ensure that data centers receiving public support are contributing positively to the community.