Water safeguards, environmental study by data center urged by Caddo officials

Caddo Parish officials are pressing the developer of the Resilient Technology Park data center to fulfill an alleged informal pledge to consider additional improvements and upgrades, particularly regarding environmental safeguards. The Caddo Parish Commission recently voted unanimously to advance two resolutions for consideration at an upcoming meeting. These resolutions request the data center to adopt rainwater harvesting and advanced water discharge filtration systems, and to produce an environmental impact study for residents of Dawson Road in northwest Shreveport.

The discussions follow a period of legal and zoning disputes. Caddo Parish Judge Ramon Lafitte previously upheld a special-use permit, approving construction for the data center campus after the city's planning commission had initially blocked it. This decision dismissed prior litigation, giving what is believed to be STACK Infrastructure and Amazon the green light for development.

However, a formal announcement from the companies involved remains stalled due to ongoing litigation. The Sierra Club Delta Chapter, supporting the original plaintiffs, announced plans to file a new challenge in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal. Monday's deliberations also saw renewed opposition from local residents, who spoke out against the data centers during public comment periods, expressing concerns about potential impacts on flooding, traffic, and drinking water quality.

Commissioner John Atkins emphasized that impact studies are crucial for responsible development, while Commissioner Chris Kracman proposed expanding the scope of one resolution to include the Stateline Data Center campus, also located in rural Caddo Parish.