Plans to significantly expand Meta's data center in northeastern Louisiana have moved forward after state electricity regulators granted initial approval for an expedited review of Entergy's proposal to supply additional power for the project. The decision, made by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), paves the way for a major infrastructure boost, including the construction of seven new gas-fired power plants.
Meta's data center, located in Richland Parish and dubbed "Hyperion", is already poised to become the tech company's largest artificial intelligence (AI) facility worldwide. The approved expansion, estimated to cost $27 billion, would add seven gas-fired power plants to supplement three previously approved plants, bringing the total to 10. These facilities are expected to generate 7,400 megawatts of power for Meta - over half of Entergy's total statewide production capacity. Entergy is also seeking approval for 2,500 megawatts of solar and wind energy and upgrades to existing nuclear power sites.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced last year that the data center could eventually match the size of Manhattan. While some question whether this projection is realistic, local and state officials have championed the project as a significant economic boon for the rural region.
The LPSC voted 4-1 in favor of Entergy's request to fast-track approval for its power plan. This accelerated process, known as the "lightning initiative", cuts through traditional regulatory red tape by exempting utilities from proving that new generation capacity represents the most cost-effective option. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan, who voted in favor, remarked, "Only in government is eight months rushed to make a decision."
Under the lightning initiative, utilities must meet specific requirements, including securing a letter from Louisiana's economic development agency confirming the project's importance and ensuring that the company involved will pay for more than half of its infrastructure costs over a 15-year contract. Entergy has stated that Meta's 20-year agreement will cover "far more" than the required revenue share.
Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May highlighted the benefits of the project, stating it would "strengthen reliability, support economic development, and deliver meaningful benefits to customers."
Despite its potential economic benefits, the project has attracted criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels and the environmental concerns associated with large-scale power generation. If all 10 gas-fired plants are built, their annual nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions could rival the effects of driving a diesel bus approximately 450 million miles, according to Paul Arbaje, a senior analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists. As of 2024, Louisiana ranked last among U.S. states for electricity generated from renewable sources.
Logan Burke, who leads the Alliance for Affordable Energy in New Orleans, criticized the scale of the project, saying, "It is an overwhelming proposal. Remember when we were talking about how unprecedented three gas plants was? And then they turn around and triple down."
Commissioner Davante Lewis, the only LPSC member to vote against the expedited timeline, expressed concerns about the lack of a competitive bidding process. He warned that speeding up the approval could allow Entergy to prioritize building new infrastructure over pursuing cost-effective alternatives, saying, "It takes a longer time to bake a wedding cake than a cupcake."
The project has received strong backing from some regulators, including Commissioner Foster Campbell, whose district encompasses the data center site. "I am for this project 1000%", Campbell said. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, who also supported the plan, described it as a "watershed moment for the state" and predicted more data center growth in Louisiana's future. Skrmetta stated, "To be perfectly frank, I think we're just getting started."
With two supportive commissioners nearing the end of their terms, the timeline for the final vote on the power plan in December will be critical. Skrmetta noted that the future makeup of the LPSC would likely remain favorable to similar projects.
The Meta project aligns with a broader trend of new data centers being built in rural areas, particularly in Southern and Midwestern states. According to a report from the Pew Research Center, over 1,500 data centers are currently in development across the U.S., adding to the 3,000 already operational.
For Richland Parish, the Hyperion facility represents a transformative opportunity to attract investment and development. However, as the LPSC moves forward with its review, debates over the environmental and economic trade-offs will likely continue to shape discussions about the project's long-term impact on Louisiana.
