Warnings To Shreveport and Bossier From Cities That Already Have Data Centers
Shreveport and Bossier City are seeing a surge in AI data center development, prompting warnings from other communities that have already experienced such facilities. Concerns include significant increases in electric bills, constant noise pollution, potential health risks from EMF exposure, and millions of gallons of daily water consumption. Residents also question the promised job creation and raise privacy concerns about the type of data being processed.
Louisiana elected officials in Shreveport and Bossier City are pursuing the development of at least three large AI data centers, despite warnings from communities where similar facilities are already operational. These warnings highlight potential negative impacts such as electric bills increasing by 50% or more, persistent 70-decibel noise levels, and concerns about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure.
The planned data centers are projected to use millions of gallons of city water daily, with Shreveport's facility requiring 7.5 million gallons per day and Bossier City's up to 13.5 million gallons per day, a volume comparable to the daily usage of a city of 100,000 people. While initial promises often include job creation and local investment, critics argue that data centers create very few permanent jobs after construction. The article also raises significant privacy concerns, suggesting these facilities could be part of an "AI police state" collecting and linking personal data for surveillance, with potential for private companies to wield immense control over individuals' lives.