Corporations like Meta stand to make incredible profits from headquartering AI data centers in our region, but it’s us who is left taking on all the risk and holding the bill. These moves are being framed as “economic development opportunities” by some state leaders, but their potential impacts include massive water and energy consumption, skyrocketing electricity bills, environmental harm, and increased surveillance.
Communities around the country — from Chandler, Arizona to Chesterton, Indiana to here in Shreveport, Louisiana — have been showing up and successfully pushing back against Big Tech’s data center expansion.
Since the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy’s application to build 3 billion-dollar gas plants to power Meta’s new data center in Richland Parish in August, the risks have only grown. At their final meeting of 2025, Commissioners voted 4-1 to weaken long-standing regulatory guardrails to fast-track electricity for data centers. Following that meeting, it also came to light that Entergy might have knowingly misled the Commission in its decision if it knew about Meta’s deal to restructure finances and how that would impact Louisiana customers who could be stuck paying for stranded assets if the project changes or if Meta walks away.
These decisions set a dangerous precedent just as even more data center proposals are coming into view.
Two new large-load data center projects have already been announced:
State economic development leadership indicates that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We expect additional data center applications (between 7-15) are coming, each demanding enormous amounts of electricity and water — and as was the case with Meta, new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Now is the time we need regulators and state leaders to step up and put protections in place so that Louisianans don’t end up holding the bill, sacrificing grid reliability, and deepening our costly dependence on fossil fuels all to subsidize multibillion-dollar Big Tech corporations.
Our regulators at the Public Service Commission are elected to represent you — and they need to hear directly from their constituents that rushed approvals and weakened safeguards are unacceptable.
Emails, phone calls, and public comments matter. They signal that residents are paying attention, that we understand the risks, and that we do not agree to trade long-term harm for short-term promises and Big Tech’s profits.
Please note if you live in New Orleans, it is the City Council, not the Public Service Commission, that represents you and is responsible for making decisions about data center proposals in New Orleans. The City Council had no authority over the LPSC’s decisions related to Meta. However, as data centers eye New Orleans, the same concerns about energy and water use apply.
Louisiana residents should not be asked to sacrifice affordability, environmental stability, and community well-being so mega-corporations can make billions. Acting together and acting quickly is how we hold our leaders accountable and protect what’s at stake. Ask yourself — is all our AI use worth the cost?
As always, The Alliance is here to help. We’ve prepared a sample email/script below to help you get started.* And you can always give us a call or contact us online to start a conversation.
*Note for New Orleans residents: This sample comment is written with the Louisiana Public Service Commission in mind. If you live in New Orleans, your utilities—Entergy New Orleans and Delta Utilities— and the electric grid in the City are regulated by the New Orleans City Council, not the LPSC. We encourage you to reach out to your Councilmembers with your concerns about data center proposals and potential grid impacts.
If you are unsure who your LPSC Commissioner is you can find out using the Secretary of State Voter Portal or the District Map here. Commissioners contact information can be found below.
If you are unsure who your CNO Councilmember is you can find out using the district maps provided here.
My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a resident of [District #] in Louisiana. I’m writing/calling to share my concerns about how the Louisiana Public Service Commission is handling current and future data center projects — and to urge you to put residents first as these decisions move forward.
Recent actions by the Commission have made it easier for data centers and other companies to get power by weakening the requirements meant to protect existing customers. Meanwhile residents like me are struggling with sky-high electric and gas bills and frequent outages. [We encourage you to share more about your experience!]
Data center projects are being framed as economic development opportunities, but the risks to communities like mine are real: increased utility bills, strain on water resources, threats to health and safety, more outages, and greater reliance on fossil fuels.
Companies like Entergy and Meta stand to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profits off agreements like the one the Commission approved in August, 2025 while customers like me are left to worry about the what ifs. What if Meta backs out after its 15 year contract? What if they leave after 4 years as their new financing agreement allows? What happens on a really hot or cold day when everyone is trying to access electricity? Will my lights go out? Will I be able to afford my power bill next month?
As more data centers eye our state, as my elected Commissioner, I ask that you slow down these processes, strengthen consumer protections, and require full transparency around costs and financing. Please ensure that any future data center proposals clearly demonstrate that their benefits outweigh their risks — for residents like me, not just corporations.
Thank you for your service and for considering the voices of your constituents. I welcome the opportunity to follow up and discuss this issue.
Sincerely
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
