Louisiana regulators have approved Entergy’s plan to build three new natural gas power plants to meet the massive electricity demands of Meta’s upcoming $10 billion artificial intelligence data center. Two plants will be constructed in Richland Parish and one near Waterford, collectively expected to generate around 2.25–2.5 gigawatts—more than twice New Orleans’ current power needs. The decision also includes building $500 million worth of transmission lines and adding up to 1,500 megawatts of solar capacity. Officials argue the project will be transformative for the state, bringing thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions to one of Louisiana’s most economically challenged regions.
But the move has triggered sharp criticism from community members, environmental groups, and consumer advocates. Opponents warn that the rushed approval process lacked transparency and could leave ratepayers footing long-term costs, since Meta’s energy agreement lasts 15 years while the plants may run for decades. Critics also argue that the reliance on new fossil fuel infrastructure undermines climate goals and risks locking Louisiana into a high-carbon future, especially if Meta reduces or withdraws its commitments. The clash underscores the tension between economic development promises and the social, financial, and environmental trade-offs tied to mega-projects like this one. More