Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana says Meta will fund all power infrastructure costs for its Richland Parish data center, an agreement the utility claims will save statewide customers more than $2.65 billion over 20 years through lower rates and reduced grid costs.

96.5 KPEL · Richland Parish, LA

Smith-Midland Corporation, a Fauquier-based precast concrete manufacturer, won a $1.7 million contract to produce and deliver utility vaults for a data center project in northern Louisiana, with deliveries continuing through year-end.

FauquierNow · Louisiana

Gov. Jeff Landry has signed and required staff to sign nondisclosure agreements that restrict discussion of economic development deals and administration workings, while telling the New York Times that transparency is misused to "kill deals." Several state legislators have recently requested release from these NDAs, citing their obligation to share information with constituents.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Richland Parish, LA

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyKTVE – myarklamiss.com – Your ArkLaMiss News Source · Louisiana · also at KTVE – myarklamiss.com – Your ArkLaMiss News Source

American Electric Power, SWEPCO's parent company, projects significant power demand growth driven primarily by data centers, with two Amazon Web Services facilities already announced in SWEPCO's northwest Louisiana service area and a potential third planned for west Shreveport. AEP anticipates 69 gigawatts of load growth through 2030, with Louisiana currently projected to need one gigawatt, though power requirements for the announced AWS data centers have not yet been disclosed to the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Caddo Parish, LA

Cleco submitted an application to the Louisiana Public Service Commission seeking approval to build a natural gas-powered substation to provide approximately 430 megawatts of electricity to the Applied Digital Delta Forge 1 data center in Rapides Parish. The utility company argues the data center customer will cover most project costs, reducing expenses for existing residential customers.

KALB | News Channel 5 · Louisiana

Headline onlyKLFY.com · Louisiana

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyCNBC · Louisiana

Small business owners in Northeast Louisiana have capitalized on opportunities created by Meta's new AI data center in Richland Parish, with local entrepreneurs expanding menus, hiring dozens of employees, and launching new ventures including a septic service company to meet demand from the project.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyfox10tv.com · Caddo Parish, LA · also at WAFF, WTVY

Several Louisiana state lawmakers are withdrawing from nondisclosure agreements with the state's economic development agency, citing voter pressure and concerns about secret business negotiations. At least four legislators requested the Louisiana Economic Development agency terminate their NDAs after constituents objected to undisclosed data center deals.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Gov. Jeff Landry's administration has signed nearly 300 nondisclosure agreements with companies and government officials since January 2024, keeping negotiation details confidential until project announcements. The agreements often involve state commitments of millions or billions in tax breaks, free land, and other incentives.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

The New Orleans City Planning Commission plans to seek City Council approval for rules allowing data centers under 100,000 square feet, requiring they be 500 feet from residences and use no more than 20 megawatts of power, following a temporary ban imposed earlier this year.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA

Meta's data center project in Richland Parish is expected to generate 7,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent positions while representing over $50 billion in state investment. Regional sales tax collections increased from $85 million to $126 million between early 2025 and first quarter 2026.

WAFB · Richland Parish, LA · also at KPTV, WBTV, fox10tv.com

Local businesses in Richland Parish are experiencing increased sales as construction begins on a major data center project. A tire shop owner reports he has hired additional staff and can now complete vehicle service work faster than before due to higher demand.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyKSLA · Louisiana

Headline onlyKTBS 3 · Louisiana

The New York Times is investigating a secret Louisiana data center deal involving Meta, examining how the company secured favorable terms.

Axios · Orleans Parish, LA

Headline onlyRealClearMarkets · Louisiana

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Louisiana

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Louisiana

Meta contributed $2 billion toward a $50 billion Louisiana data center project financed largely through a $27.3 billion bond offering, while securing the ability to exit the venture after four years despite longer commitments from other investors and lenders.

Business Model Analyst · Richland Parish, LA

Meta is constructing a $50 billion artificial intelligence data center called Hyperion in rural northeastern Louisiana, designed to provide 5 gigawatts of computing capacity. The project has drawn scrutiny over its massive scale, energy requirements, financing arrangements and the secrecy of negotiations involving Meta, state officials, local authorities and energy company Entergy.

The American Bazaar · Louisiana

Meta has exited the RE100 renewable energy pledge and is funding approximately 10 gas-fired power plants totaling roughly 7.5 gigawatts to supply its data centers, including a major facility in Louisiana and a project in Ohio.

Electrek · Louisiana

Headline onlyThe Real Deal · Richland Parish, LA

A University of Texas poll found 56% of Texans oppose building data centers in their communities, citing concerns about electricity demand, water consumption and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Louisiana's governor is aggressively courting data center and AI investment while Texas leaders have begun restricting such projects.

KTBS 3 · Louisiana

Headline onlyqz.com · Louisiana

Meta signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Lightsource BP for the 150-megawatt Mowata Solar project in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, with construction expected to begin this year. The deal marks the second PPA between the companies, following a 2022 agreement for an Ohio solar project.

Data Center Dynamics · Louisiana