Louisiana regulators have approved a controversial power plan that will enable Meta to move forward with its largest artificial intelligence data center yet.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 4-1 in favor of Entergy’s proposal to build three new gas-fired power plants to support Meta’s $10 billion facility in Richland Parish, clearing the way for one of the most ambitious AI infrastructure projects in the U.S.
The approval came after hours of debate at a commission meeting in Plaquemine, where business leaders and environmental advocates clashed over the deal’s potential benefits and risks.
A massive project with major implications
Meta’s facility will occupy land equivalent to 70 football fields in northeast Louisiana. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has suggested the center could eventually expand to rival the size of Manhattan, underscoring the company’s aggressive push in the global AI race.
Louisiana officials, including Gov. Jeff Landry, have hailed the project as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic development in a historically struggling region. Entergy argues that the new plants will strengthen the state’s grid and create long-term benefits for both industry and residents.
“This is one of the most advanced data centers in the world,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana’s president and CEO. “These investments will reinforce our grid, create economic opportunity, and support a more sustainable energy future across Louisiana.”
Jobs, growth – and concerns about costs
Supporters say the data center will bring up to 500 permanent jobs and thousands of temporary construction positions, while also fueling growth for small businesses in northeast Louisiana. Rob Cleveland, head of the region’s economic development authority, said the project is already creating “exponential growth” for local companies.
But critics worry that ordinary Louisianans could ultimately pay the price for Meta’s energy demands. The facility will consume nearly three times the annual electricity of New Orleans and increase Entergy’s statewide power needs by about 30%.
Although Entergy insists Meta will cover the bulk of costs under a 15-year contract, opponents point to hidden risks. The plants could operate for 40 years, leaving ratepayers exposed if Meta exits early. All customers will also contribute to funding a $550 million transmission line and associated costs.
“The commission has approved a deal that transfers enormous risks of two powerful corporations to residents of Louisiana,” said Logan Burke of the Alliance for Affordable Energy.
Divisions on the PSC
The PSC’s approval was not unanimous. Commissioner Davante Lewis, the lone dissenting vote, said the deal left “too many bitter pills to swallow,” citing concerns about natural gas dependency, grid reliability, and rising costs.
“One of the challenges I could not get over was the proliferation of gas turbines in the state,” Lewis said. He also criticized Entergy for bypassing the typical competitive bidding process, arguing that rushing the deal catered more to Meta’s tight timeline than to Louisiana consumers.
By contrast, Commissioner Foster Campbell, who represents the district where the data center will be built, called it a historic opportunity. “I’m not for this project 1%, 10%, or 100%. I’m for this project 1,000%,” he declared.
Environmental pushback
Environmental groups remain divided. The Alliance for Affordable Energy and other advocates had urged regulators to delay the vote until October, citing climate concerns, water usage, and the long-term impact of new fossil fuel plants.
Meta has agreed to contribute 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy to the Louisiana grid as part of the deal, though the commitment is not legally binding. The company insists it chose Louisiana for its “reliable grid, strong workforce, and infrastructure,” according to spokesperson Ashley Settle.
Still, critics question whether renewable promises offset the risks of locking the state into decades of gas-fired energy. “What’s the risk in waiting a little longer?” asked Samm Clark, a Baton Rouge graduate student from Monroe. She called Meta’s pledge of 500 permanent jobs “abysmal” for a project of such scale.
Looking ahead
Construction on Meta’s data center is already underway, and with PSC approval secured, Entergy will now move forward with building two new plants near Richland Parish and a third in St. Charles Parish.
While supporters say the investments will strengthen Louisiana’s energy infrastructure and attract more high-tech industries, opponents warn the long-term financial and environmental consequences remain uncertain.
As the AI race accelerates, Louisiana is betting big on Meta. The question is whether the gamble will deliver lasting prosperity – or long-term costs for residents and businesses across the state.
