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.
A new report critical of the rapid data-center ramp-up across the South describes it as ‘Big Tech, following in the footsteps of Big Oil.'
Entergy, the Louisiana utility, has dragged its feet on renewables. Now, it seems that a proposed Meta data center in northern Louisiana might instead create an “urgent” push for dirty, fossil-fuel power. To power the center, Entergy will rely mostly on new gas-fired generators - paid for by ratepayers.
