Entergy wants to build power lines for Meta’s data center. These landowners are fighting back.
Landowners in northern Louisiana are fighting Entergy's efforts to use eminent domain to build new transmission lines for Meta's $50 billion data center. Lawsuits have been filed by both Entergy and the affected property owners, who argue the land expropriation is for private gain and infringes on their property rights. The conflict highlights tensions between economic development priorities and local environmental and property concerns.
In northern Louisiana, a conflict is intensifying between landowners and Entergy over the utility's plans to build new electrical transmission lines to power Meta's $50 billion "Hyperion" data center in Holly Ridge, Richland Parish. Landowners, including Parnell and Harvey Perry from Calhoun Brake in Ouachita Parish, are challenging Entergy's use of eminent domain (expropriation) in court, arguing that taking private land for what they perceive as private gain is unlawful.
The Perry family, among several dozen property owners across at least 15 tracts, is asking courts to block Entergy's expropriation, which would require clearing part of a swamp and running lines through private backyards. They allege a lack of transparency from Entergy and have filed their own lawsuit after Entergy initiated legal action against them and other landowners in Ouachita and Richland parishes. Entergy contends the existing transmission system cannot handle Meta's power demands and has made "good faith" efforts to acquire rights of way, citing the need to strengthen grid reliability and support economic growth without increasing rates for regular customers.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and other elected officials have largely welcomed data center investments, citing job creation and economic benefits. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has even implemented a "Lightning Amendment" to streamline regulatory steps for Entergy's infrastructure projects related to Meta. However, Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis and State Rep. Gabe Firment acknowledge the "legitimate concerns" of landowners regarding property rights, even as they support economic development.
Opposition efforts are growing, with residents like Dustin McAnn organizing groups of affected landowners to build a coalition against Entergy's plans. Landowners express frustration with politicians prioritizing a billionaire's interests over local property rights, and some have reluctantly agreed to compensation under the threat of eminent domain. The core legal question revolves around whether Entergy's transmission line construction serves a "public purpose" that justifies eminent domain, especially given the rapid, data-center-driven power infrastructure build-out.