Candidates debate data centers, utility rates in District 5 Public Service Commission forum
Candidates for the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s District 5 seat debated the impact of data centers on electricity demand, grid reliability and utility rates. Shreveport City Councilman Rev. James Green called for halting new data center projects in North Louisiana until safety and cost concerns are addressed, citing Meta’s planned 4,500-megawatt facility in Richland Parish.
Caddo Parish Commissioner John Adkins and Shreveport City Councilman Rev. James Green discussed energy reliability, utility affordability and data center growth during a televised forum for candidates seeking the Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 seat. The debate focused on concerns that large data centers could increase electricity demand and strain the state’s power grid.
The candidates referenced Meta’s planned data center in Richland Parish, which is expected to require 4,500 megawatts of electricity. Green said North Louisiana should pause new data center projects until officials resolve safety, grid-capacity and consumer-cost concerns, while the broader discussion also covered nuclear energy and rising household utility bills.