West Shreveport residents hold town hall on Amazon data center
A community-led town hall in West Shreveport discussed the negative impacts of data centers, specifically targeting an Amazon project. Speakers raised concerns about pollution, resource strain, electricity issues, and a lack of regulation. Residents were encouraged to pressure local and state officials, and an organization collected signatures to oppose the project.
A community-led town hall titled "The Truth About Data Centers" was held at West Shreveport's Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church, drawing nearly 100 residents. The event featured various speakers addressing the negative impacts of data centers across Louisiana, including New Orleans-based community organizer KD Miner.
Miner's presentation highlighted concerns about increased pollution, resource strain, and economic challenges, specifically referencing a metadata center project in Monroe and emphasizing the lack of regulation. Event organizer Derek Henderson stated that the forum aimed to encourage residents to unite and prevent a planned Amazon data center in West Shreveport. Henderson noted that successful pushbacks in other locations, such as New Orleans, had delayed data center construction, indicating that the Shreveport project is "not a done deal." Concerns were also raised about potential electrical power outages, water shortages, and high electricity bills due to lax regulation.
The town hall concluded with a Q&A session, where presenters urged attendees to contact parish, city, and state officials, including Foster Campbell, to voice their concerns. The organization "no data centers 318" was present, collecting signatures to oppose the Amazon projects and vowing to continue their resistance.