The Rio Grande Foundation is a New Mexico-based public policy think tank focused on promoting individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity. Founded in 2000 and based in Albuquerque, the organization conducts research and advocacy on issues including taxes, education, energy, healthcare, government transparency, and free-market economic policy.
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2026-05-26
The Rio Grande Foundation’s Paul Gessing Discusses Data Centers and Energy Policy in New Mexicowith Paul Gessing
In the latest episode of the Powering America Podcast, Paul Gessing, president of the Rio Grande Foundation, discusses data centers and energy policy in New Mexico. Gessing highlights the state's potential for data center development due to its natural resources and stable environment, while also addressing the challenges posed by political opposition and environmental concerns. The conversation touches on the impact of energy policies, including the Energy Transition Act, and the role of water resources in supporting data center operations.
Notable quotes
“We have such an opportunity right now in multiple ways. The oil and gas revenue, we could be cutting taxes, doing all these things.”
“The microgrid bill was genius, truly. It created a situation where they can have this reliable energy source right there associated with that data center.”
“Data centers are big consumers of electricity. There's no getting around that.”
“We are living in a desert, the high desert of the American Southwest, and water is a factor in the data centers.”
“My experience with a lot of these radical environmental organizations is that they just don't like economic development.”
“Overall, we're supportive of them, which does put us on the side of a governor that we've crossed swords with many, many times.”