Trump calls data center opponents backward as Louisiana projects roll on
President Trump criticized data center opponents as "backwards," while Louisiana's Governor Jeff Landry champions four data center projects across the state. Governor Landry issued an executive order requiring data center companies to fund their electricity needs to qualify for state tax breaks. This occurs amidst significant public opposition, with a two-year moratorium recently proposed in Caddo Parish.
Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized opponents of data centers, labeling them "backwards" and emphasizing their economic benefits for communities. These comments, posted on Truth Social, come amidst growing bipartisan resistance to data center construction in various communities across the U.S. Conversely, Louisiana's Republican Governor Jeff Landry is a vocal proponent of data center development, with four projects already announced or underway in the state.
To address concerns regarding the substantial power demands of AI data centers, Governor Landry issued an executive order on June 25. This order mandates that data center companies and utilities must fully fund their electricity needs to be eligible for Louisiana's Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption program. While the state Public Service Commission maintains authority over utility rates, the executive order sets new guidelines for tax break participation.
Despite Louisiana's general welcoming stance, some localized opposition exists. Democratic Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis voted against expediting the approval process for Entergy to construct new power plants intended to fuel Meta's $50 billion data center. Additionally, Republican Caddo Parish Commissioner John Paul Young proposed a two-year moratorium on new data centers, though it has not yet passed the commission. A recent Gallup poll in March indicated widespread national opposition, with 71% of Americans against data center construction in their local areas.