Concerns grow over massive Caddo data center project
The Caddo Parish Commission is discussing a data center project, focusing on potential environmental impacts and local control over development. Commissioners expressed concerns about transparency, particularly regarding a private informational meeting hosted by Amazon and Stack Infrastructure. The commission is working towards voting on resolutions related to environmental impacts and rainwater collection for cooling.
The Caddo Parish Commission is actively discussing an AI data center project in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, with a focus on potential environmental impacts. The commission is working towards voting on two resolutions related to these impacts, including Amazon's proposed rainwater collection for cooling.
Commissioner John Paul Young voiced concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding a private informational meeting hosted by Amazon and Stack Infrastructure. Young noted that attendees were only permitted to verbally share the information, which he found unsettling and urged data center developers to engage more directly with the public.
Parish Attorney Donna Frazier clarified that local control over data center development is limited if the facility is built in an industrial zone. Beyond enforcing state building codes, sanitation ordinances, and Department of Environmental Quality regulations, localities have little power to stop such projects. Commission President Gregory Young echoed this sentiment, stating that there is "nothing material" the commission can do to stop data centers, as such projects receive support from high-ranking political figures including President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Governor Jeff Landry. Commissioner Chris Kretschmann expressed disagreement with the general discussion, highlighting misinformation regarding data centers.