Candidates in 5th Congressional District race discuss AI and data centers at forum
Candidates in the 5th Congressional District race discussed artificial intelligence and data centers during a forum at the University of Louisiana Monroe. They debated oversight, energy infrastructure, environmental concerns and protecting electricity ratepayers from costs associated with the industry's growth.
Candidates for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District addressed the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers at a forum held at the University of Louisiana Monroe in Monroe. Republican candidates Austin Magee, Gabe Firment and Stewart Cathey said the growing industry requires oversight while criticizing what they described as expedited regulatory treatment for AI companies and large data centers.
Magee argued that infrastructure and electricity supply are already inadequate for residents and questioned why a small group of companies should receive faster approvals. Cathey called for Congress to pass a Ratepayer Protection Act, saying companies that consume energy should bear the costs rather than passing them to households. Firment likewise emphasized protecting consumers as energy demand increases.