Penelope Loyd Sment - The Daily Lobo

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Project Jupiter: where the AI data center project stands in NM

Penelope Loyd Sment | August 17

The proposed hyperscale AI data center Project Jupiter has sparked controversy across New Mexico since it was first announced in February 2025. The massive endeavour that was approved 4-1 by the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners in September 2025 is projected to cover 1,400 acres in Santa Teresa and emit more greenhouse gases than Albuquerque and Las Cruces combined, according to Source NM. Stack and BorderPlex Digital Assets are constructing and developing the project, with an estimated price tag of $165 billion. It is actively under construction, but facing legal obstacles after being denied permission to build the “robust natural gas pipeline” needed for the project by Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and an active investigation by the NM Department of Justice for fraudulent public comment submissions.

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Earth Month: NM environmental leaders talk sustainability

Penelope Loyd Sment | April 20

This Earth Month, two sustainability activists spoke about the efforts the University of New Mexico has been taking to address the climate crisis and its role in environmental issues. While the University’s efforts have been a good start, there is still more work to do, they said. The clearest example of action taken by UNM on environmental matters is the University’s strategic sustainability plan, released in October 2025, with goals set to be accomplished by 2030. The plan outlines multiple objectives for both transforming campus operations and building sustainability engagement and culture on campus. The goals tackle energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, waste management, transportation and limiting waste in food and dining.

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Lawsuit alleges UNM failed to maintain public records

Penelope Loyd Sment | March 9

Thomas Newsome, a retired journalist and University of New Mexico alum, is suing the University alleging that they’ve failed to meet their obligation to document their activities involving public business resulting in the denial or obstruction of Newsome’s right to access these records. The lawsuit, which was filed on Feb. 26, claims UNM violated the Inspection of Public Records Act. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of poor records management on the part of UNM in denying the public access to records they have a legal right to see. Examples of poor management outlined include failure to locate documents, identify which records exist and if requested records exist at all.

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A recap of the 2026 Legislature’s important bills

Penelope Loyd Sment | March 2

On Feb. 19, the New Mexico Legislature adjourned their 30-day session, the last to be overseen by the outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, the three cornerstone priorities of the governor were medical malpractice reform, mental health commitment and universal child care. Here are some of the most impactful bills that could affect New Mexicans.

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Bill forbidding state partnership with immigration officials signed

Penelope Loyd Sment | February 23

On Feb. 5, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act into law after passing both the Senate and the House, largely along party lines. With the passing of the bill, New Mexico joins eight other states that have recently passed legislation limiting state involvement in federal immigration proceedings, according to ACLU New Mexico. The new law will go into effect in May, and prohibits public bodies, such as state or county entities, from entering into or continuing agreements with federal immigration officials in detaining individuals for civil immigration violations and prohibits the use of public land for immigration detention centers, like those existing in Torrance, Cibola and Otero Counties. Also prohibited is the deputizing of local law enforcement as immigration officers.

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UNM study finds over $1 billion generated by Albuquerque creative economy

Penelope Loyd Sment | February 23

For the first time since 2014, a comprehensive study was conducted on Albuquerque’s creative economy, finding 17,680 workers directly employed by 2,457 creative businesses generating $1.1 billion in economic output in 2024. The sector makes up 4.4% of all local employment, the study found. Administered by the University of New Mexico’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, in partnership with the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts and Culture, the study defines the creative economy as the economic growth generated by producing and consuming art and other intellectual property with the value of these goods and services determined by the creators’ level of skill, expertise and talent.

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Homeless shelter organizers speak on cold fighting $820k state grant

Penelope Loyd Sment | January 19

In a first for the New Mexico Office of Housing, a new grant program to prepare for winter emergencies was announced earlier this month, with $820,000 distributed to shelters across the state, giving a maximum amount of $20,000 to each homeless shelter. The funding seeks to help shelters prepare for the needs of people with unstable housing conditions during the winter by increasing the holding capacity of shelters and other living facilities and distributing greater amounts of warm food and drink, hygiene supplies including pads and tampons, and warm clothing, according to a New Mexico Department of Workplace Solutions press release.

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Student orgs introduce roaming recycling cart at football tailgate

Penelope Loyd Sment | November 24

It is easy to imagine the type of waste that is generated at a University of New Mexico football tailgate, with aluminum cans, plastic bottles and cardboard usually sent directly to the landfill. This season, a group of students from environmentally-focused student organizations across campus are banding together to make recycling easier than ever for Lobo fans by debuting a roaming recycling cart at home tailgates. The cart began roaming on Nov. 15 at the Lobo football tailgate to collect and manage the recyclables people had on-hand during the event.

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How Albuquerque’s publicly funded elections work

Penelope Loyd Sment | November 17

In city elections where raising tens of thousands of dollars is common occurrence, Albuquerque participates in a program which seeks to democratize campaign fundraising. The system uses public financing to allow candidates to run for office without the financial burden typical in elections. This tool was a common feature in this year’s Nov. 4 municipal elections, with many candidates financed by the city. Mayoral candidate and incumbent Tim Keller and City Council candidates, incumbent Renée Grout from district nine, incumbent Tammy Fiebelkorn from district seven, incumbent Dan Lewis from district five, incumbent Klarissa Peña from district three, Ahren Griego and Daniel Levia from district one were all publicly financed this election.