Research shows that AI data center facilities are landing in Black and low-income communities already treated as environmental sacrifice zones. In Louisiana, the two neighboring towns have a majority Black population, but residents fear that the jobs are not reaching them.
Despite last Wednesday's procedural setback, the PSC's final decision on all these new gas plants is not scheduled to take place until December 16th. "The fight isn’t over, writes Paul Arbaje, as he outlines the substance of Meta's proposal and why it’s a risky proposition for Louisiana ratepayers.
As Meta’s massive AI data center, the most expensive in the nation, transforms rural Richland Parish, Louisiana's Black and white churches are divided over whether technological progress represents a God-given opportunity or a powerful new force likely to deepen inequities.
As recently as February, Senator Morris and his partners sold hundreds of acres to Entergy for a methane-burning power plant to provide electricity for the data center.
Morris’ recent land deals in light of Meta’s Hyperion data center buildout are raising questions about whether the senator violated state laws designed to prohibit self-dealing.
In this episode of Behind The Lens, host Carolyne Heldman Rovira interviews journalist and policy advisor Ned Randolph, to unpack a major energy and infrastructure development that could reshape Louisiana’s future.
Data centers are created by the nation’s wealthiest companies, like Meta. But in Louisiana, utility billpayers could cover up to 75% of AI data-center costs, thanks to a fast-track policy quietly passed by Louisiana regulators.
The Public Service Commission approved the power plants for the datacenter project by a 4-1 margin, sending a signal nationwide to all prospective datacenter companies: ‘Come to Louisiana, where they sell their people out for pennies on the dollar.’
Gus Bennett on Big Tech data centers that threaten more environmental and economic harm in Cancer Alley. Terry Jones on climate refugees 10 years after relocation.
